Moscow (Agencies): Iran and Russia are poised to sign a historic 20-year Strategic Partnership Agreement on January 17, 2025, in Moscow. The pact, comprising 47 articles, surpasses the scope of similar agreements Russia has signed with other nations, including the 20-article accord with North Korea. This comprehensive deal is expected to deepen collaboration across trade, energy, transport, and humanitarian sectors.
Central to the agreement is Russia’s plan to establish Iran as a key transit hub for its gas and goods. This initiative aims to enable the export of Russian natural gas to Iran and its onward transit to neighboring countries and Africa, solidifying Iran’s position as a regional energy hub. Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian emphasized that this collaboration aligns with Iran’s strategic goal of becoming a vital player in the global energy market.
Unlike other agreements with countries like North Korea and Belarus, this pact does not include a mutual defense clause, underscoring Iran’s policy of maintaining independence and avoiding bloc politics. Kazem Jalali, Iran’s ambassador to Russia, highlighted that the agreement symbolizes Iran’s commitment to sovereignty, economic growth, and regional cooperation without aligning with military alliances.
This partnership builds on the foundation of the 2001 Iran-Russia cooperation agreement and is seen as a significant step in strengthening bilateral relations. The signing ceremony will take place following high-level talks between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian.
The pact also reflects a strategic shift for Russia as it seeks to diversify its trade and energy routes amidst evolving global geopolitics, positioning Iran as a key partner in its regional outreach.
This agreement, with its ambitious scope, is expected to redefine the relationship between the two countries for decades to come, addressing shared interests and promoting economic resilience in an increasingly interconnected world.