Iran: Parliament ratifies partnership treaty with Russia

Iranian Parliament ratified on Wednesday a comprehensive 20-year strategic partnership treaty between Iran and Russia, aimed at strengthening political, military, and economic ties between the two countries.

"The general provisions and details of the strategic partnership treaty project between Iran and Russia have been adopted by the deputies," announced the official Irna agency.

In April, Russian deputies had already ratified this text, which foresees increased cooperation between Moscow and Tehran to address "common security threats."

The text is not a mutual defense pact like the one signed last year between Russia and North Korea. The document stipulates that if one of the parties is subjected to aggression, the other will not provide "assistance to the aggressor." The treaty also includes strengthening "military cooperation" between Iran and Russia, two countries targeted by Western sanctions and sharing a common desire to counter what they present as U.S. hegemony.

Western countries accuse Iran of having provided drones and short-range missiles to Russia for its war against Ukraine. The text also aims to strengthen economic and political ties between Moscow and Tehran, particularly in energy, finance, and counter-terrorism. This agreement was signed in January by Iranian President Massoud Pezeshkian and his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin, during a visit to Russia.