Russia and Iran presidents sign defense cooperation agreement

Russian President Vladimir Putin (right) and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian. Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, October 11, 2024 | Photo: AFP

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian began his visit to Moscow on Friday. During his visit, he will meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin. The two leaders are also expected to sign a "strategic partnership" agreement between Iran and Russia, which includes closer defense cooperation. Such an agreement between Russia and Iran could be a cause for concern in the West. 

This is Pezeshkian's first visit to the Kremlin since winning the Iranian presidency in July. His visit will focus on bilateral relations as well as international issues before the signing of the agreement. The Kremlin says the meeting between the two leaders will further strengthen their ties.

The Kremlin statement said the two leaders will discuss expanding cooperation between Moscow and Tehran in trade, investment, transport, logistics, the humanitarian sector, and current issues on the regional and international agenda.

The agreement is also expected to strengthen the growing military and political partnership between the two countries.

Moscow's relations with Iran have strengthened since Russia began its all-out campaign in Ukraine in February 2022. Iran has supplied Russia with Shahid drones, which have been used to target Ukrainian infrastructure and power plants.

"Iran is an important partner for us, with which we are developing multifaceted cooperation," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said.

Russia has developed close ties with countries that are hostile to the United States, including North Korea. Since the beginning of the Ukraine war, Russia has built strategic ties with North Korea and Belarus, as well as strengthened ties with China.

But Pezeshkian is visiting Moscow after Iran and Russia suffered a major setback in the Middle East. Rebels in Syria have toppled the Iranian- and Russian-backed government of Bashar al-Assad. 

Earlier, the Iranian-backed Hamas in Gaza has come under heavy Israeli attacks.