Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a comprehensive strategic partnership treaty on Friday, marking a significant step in deepening cooperation between two of the world’s most heavily sanctioned nations.

The treaty, hailed by both leaders as a “breakthrough,” encompasses a wide range of areas, including politics, security, trade, transport, and energy. At a joint press conference in Moscow, President Putin described the agreement as pivotal for the “stable and sustainable development” of Russia, Iran, and the broader region.

According to Kremlin sources, the pact is expected to enhance military-political and trade-economic relations, although specific details remain undisclosed.

New chapter in bilateral ties

Speaking at the event, President Pezeshkian called the treaty a “new chapter” in Iranian-Russian relations, with a particular emphasis on trade. Both nations have intensified economic collaboration in response to Western sanctions, leveraging their partnership to counteract global isolation.

“The treaty is constructive in nature and is aimed at strengthening the capabilities of Russia, Iran, and our friends in various parts of the world,” Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov stated earlier this week.

Negotiations for the treaty have been underway for years, building on a 2001 agreement that has been periodically renewed. The new pact, reportedly set to remain in force for 20 years, is expected to solidify the alliance as both nations seek to expand their influence globally.

Growing trade and military cooperation

Trade activities between the two countries have surged in recent years, with Iran supplying Russia with military hardware, including self-detonating “Shahed” drones. Western officials and Ukraine have accused Moscow of deploying these drones in its ongoing conflict with Kyiv.

The partnership has raised concerns among Western powers, which view the Tehran-Moscow alliance as a destabilizing force in global geopolitics. Since the start of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, the Kremlin has increasingly leaned on Iran as a strategic ally, further alarming the West.

Putin’s shift in foreign policy

President Putin has prioritized building ties with nations like Iran, China, and North Korea as part of his broader strategy to challenge US-led “global hegemony.” This partnership aligns with Tehran’s own ambitions to assert its influence amid ongoing Western pressure.

The treaty comes at a critical time for Iran, which has faced several foreign policy challenges over the past year. These include setbacks in Syria, where a rebel offensive toppled President Bashar al-Assad, a key Iranian ally, and the weakening of Hezbollah after a conflict with Israel.

The timing of the treaty is also significant, as it precedes the inauguration of US President-elect Donald Trump, who has adopted a hardline stance against Iran. Trump, who withdrew from the 2015 Iran nuclear deal during his first term, has threatened swift action to curb Iran’s influence in the Middle East.

With Trump’s history of confrontational policies toward Tehran, including the assassination of Iranian Revolutionary Guards commander Qasem Soleimani in 2020, the treaty is likely to further strain US-Iran and US-Russia relations.