**Iran and Russia Deepen Ties with 20-Year Strategic Partnership**
Iran’s parliament has given its final approval to a 20-year strategic partnership agreement with Russia, marking a significant step in the deepening of ties between the two countries. This move was reported by Reuters on May 21.
The agreement, initially signed by Russian President Vladimir Putin and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian in January, has now been ratified by both parliaments. The pact outlines commitments for both countries to cooperate against common military threats, enhance military-technical collaboration, and participate in joint military exercises.
**Military Cooperation on the Rise**
Iran has emerged as a key ally of Russia in its war against Ukraine, supplying Moscow with kamikaze drones and short-range ballistic missiles used in attacks on Ukrainian cities. The agreement does not include a mutual defense clause but aims to strengthen cooperation between the two countries.
The pact also includes provisions aimed at expanding economic ties, encouraging direct interbank collaboration and promoting national financial instruments to ease transactions and reduce reliance on Western banking systems.
**A Long-Lasting Alliance**
Moscow has been Tehran’s long-time ally, and their cooperation intensified after Russia launched its full-scale war against Ukraine in 2022. Iran has provided thousands of Shahed drones used in attacks against Ukrainian cities, as well as short-range ballistic missiles.
Recent reports suggest that Iran is preparing to send Russia Fath-360 short-range ballistic missile launchers with a range of 75 miles (120 kilometers). With Iran’s assistance, Russia has begun producing its own variants of Shahed drones called Geran-2.
**A Common Front Against the West**
Iran and Russia have also been at the forefront of confronting what they see as the Western-led global order. Tehran has sponsored militant groups in the Middle East attacking the West’s allies.
However, their alliance suffered a major blow last December when Syrian rebels ousted dictator Bashar al-Assad, who was supported by both Russia and Iran.
**A Pattern of Military Support**
Last June, Putin signed a similar partnership agreement with North Korea, under which both parties agreed to military support each other in case of an armed attack. Months after the deal was signed, North Korea dispatched up to 12,000 troops to help fend off a Ukrainian incursion in Russia’s Kursk Oblast.
This development raises questions about the nature of these alliances and their implications for global security.
Read More @ kyivindependent.com
