Russian and Iranian leaders signed a comprehensive strategic partnership agreement on January 17 in Moscow, marking a significant step in their bilateral cooperation. The document, the result of long negotiations, outlines the framework for the two countries’ cooperation in politics, security, economy, energy, research, education, and culture for at least the next 20 years.
Russian President Vladimir Putin and his Iranian counterpart, Ebrahim Raisi, hailed the agreement as a major breakthrough, aimed at creating the necessary conditions for a stable and sustainable development of Russia, Iran, and the Eurasian region.
The agreement covers a wide range of areas, including security, finance, and energy. It emphasizes the importance of the two countries’ financial cooperation, particularly in the context of the growing sanctions pressure from the West. The partners agreed to create a secure channel for the interaction of their banking systems to establish an independent payment infrastructure.
The agreement also focuses on energy security, with a special emphasis on Iran’s nuclear program. The Russians have already played a significant role in the construction of the Bushehr nuclear power plant in Iran, and the new agreement may pave the way for further cooperation in this area, including the potential supply of Russian nuclear technologies to Iran.
Moreover, the agreement includes a provision for the construction of a gas pipeline from Russia to Iran, which is expected to transport up to 55 billion cubic meters of gas per year. The pipeline’s route is still to be determined, but it will likely pass through the Caspian Sea or the territory of Azerbaijan, requiring the two countries to ensure greater security in the region to prevent any disruptions.