Presidents of Iran and Russia sign Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Treaty

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian arrived in Moscow on 17 January on an official visit, where he held talks with the Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin. The key outcome of the meeting was the conclusion of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Treaty between the countries.

During the meeting, the Russian leader emphasised the importance of the Iranian counterpart's visit to Russia due to the signing of the new agreement. According to him, it will give additional boost to all areas of cooperation.

For his part, Pezeshkian expressed satisfaction with the interaction with Russia. He emphasised that bilateral relations are strategically important and comprehensive.

After the talks, the heads of state signed the document and held a press conference to summarise the results of the meeting. Putin called the new agreement a breakthrough document.

"We are united in not resting on our laurels and taking Russia-Iran relations to a qualitatively new level. This is the meaning of the signed interstate Treaty on Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. It sets ambitious tasks and benchmarks for deepening bilateral cooperation in the long term in politics and security, trade, investment, and humanitarian areas"

Vladimir Putin President of Russia

He also stressed the active development of trade and economic ties between the states. In particular, the President pointed to the growth of trade turnover by 15.5 per cent. In addition, he said that the states have almost completely transferred bilateral trade in national currencies.

Putin paid special attention to the joint project for the construction of two new units of the nuclear power plant "Bushehr", located in the city of the same name in the southern Iran. The Russian leader said that the project will make a significant contribution to strengthening Iran's energy security, stimulate further growth of the national economy, as well as provide Iranian households and industrial enterprises with inexpensive and environmentally friendly electricity.

Pezeshkian stressed at the press conference that BRICS and the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) open new opportunities for Russian-Iranian cooperation. 

"I hope that bilateral contacts between Russia and Iran will continue to strengthen in line with common interests, and new prospects for strengthening cooperation will open up before us from today. [...] In recent years, we have seen an active exchange of delegations between our countries, and this process continues. We sincerely express our gratitude to our Russian colleagues"

Masoud Pezeshkian President of Iran

The heads of state also discussed the introduction of visa-free regime between the countries, international and regional issues, fuel and energy supplies, the project of gas pipeline from Russia to Iran, "North – South" International Transport Corridor (ITC), as well as a number of other topics.

The agreement signed at the talks is designed to bring relations between Russia and Iran to a new level, cementing their status as strategic partners. International journalist Abbas Juma in an exclusive commentary to TV BRICS said that the agreement removes obstacles to large-scale cooperation. According to him, the document will help develop contacts in the fields of culture, tourism and technology on the basis of a solid legal framework.

On 17 January, Pezeshkian was met at Vnukovo-2 airport by a Russian delegation headed by Energy Minister Sergey Tsivilev. A guard of honour lined up along the red carpet where the Iranian politician walked, accompanied by an orchestra playing the Iranian and Russian national anthems. 

This is the third meeting between Pezeshkian and Putin. The previous two meetings took place in October 2024: on the margins of the international forum in the capital of Turkmenistan, Ashgabat, and at the BRICS summit in Kazan.

Photo: kremlin.ru / TV BRICS