The presidents of Russia and Iran, Vladimir Putin and Masoud Pesekian, signed a cooperation pact in the Kremlin today that is intended to deepen the partnership between the two countries facing harsh Western sanctions.
The comprehensive strategic partnership agreement between Russia and Iran covers all areas – from trade and military cooperation to science, education and culture, officials from the two countries said.
Pezeshkiyan's visit to Moscow comes three days before the inauguration of US President-elect Donald Trump, who has vowed to end Russia's war in Ukraine and take a tougher stance on Iran, which is facing growing economic problems and other challenges, such as military failures by Iran's allies across the Middle East.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov dismissed any connection to Trump's inauguration, saying the signing of the deal with Iran had long been planned.
At the beginning of the meeting with Pezeshkian, Putin said that the new agreement would "give additional impetus to practically all areas of cooperation" between Russia and Iran.
Pezeshkiyan, who met with Putin for the third time since coming to power in July, said the document represents "a solid basis for moving forward."
"We consider our relations with you important, sensitive and strategic, and we are strongly on this path," said Pezeskian.
The Iranian president stated that countries in the Middle East should solve their own problems and added that the presence of external forces, alluding to the US, will only increase tensions and destabilize the situation.
"They are coming from the other side of the world to create chaos in the region. These ties (with Russia) will definitely weaken their conspiracy," Pezeshkiyan said.
Russia's ties with Iran have grown closer since Putin invaded Ukraine in February 2022. Kiev and the West accuse Iran of supplying Russia with hundreds of drones for attacks on Ukraine, a charge both Moscow and Tehran deny.
Iran became a member of the BRICS group last year, of which Russia is a member. Pezeshkiyan attended the BRICS summit in October, hosted by Russia.
Russia and Iran have had troubled relations in the past, but developed cordial ties after the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991. Moscow then became a key trading partner and supplier of weapons and technology to Tehran, which faces extensive international sanctions.
Russia built Iran's first nuclear power plant, which went online in 2013, and is building two more nuclear reactors there.
Russia was part of the 2015 deal between Iran and six major powers that eased sanctions on Tehran in exchange for curbs on its nuclear program. When the United States unilaterally withdrew from the deal in 2018, during Trump's first term, the Kremlin offered political support to Iran.
Russia and Iran worked together to bolster the rule of Bashar al-Assad during Syria's civil war, but failed to prevent his fall last month after a lightning rebel offensive. Assad and his family fled to Russia.
Assad's overthrow was another blow to the "Axis of Resistance" across the region, a term used by Tehran, following Israeli offensives against two armed groups close to Iran - Hamas in the Gaza Strip and Hezbollah in Lebanon. Israel has also directly attacked Iran on two occasions.
Tehran increasingly needs Moscow's help as it faces economic difficulties and major setbacks in its sphere of influence in the Middle East. The problems could deepen as Trump returns to the White House with a policy of "maximum pressure" on Iran.
Iran wants sophisticated Russian weapons, such as long-range air defense systems and fighter jets, so it can defend itself against possible attacks from Israel.
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