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Moscow and Tehran have agreed to cooperate on mutual defense and sanctions resistance
Russian President Vladimir Putin and his Iranian counterpart Masoud Pezeshkian signed a strategic partnership treaty on Friday. The agreement, which has already been dubbed historic, covers several critical areas of cooperation aimed at helping both nations withstand external pressure. Here’s what you need to know about its provisions.
Mutual non-aggression guarantees
One of the cornerstones of the treaty is a pledge on mutual defense, whereby if one country is attacked, the other will not assist the aggressor in any form.
Military cooperation
Both countries have committed to expanding collaboration on defense. This includes: • Joint military exercises. • Development of military technologies.
Resistance to sanctions
Russia and Iran are heavily sanctioned by Western countries, a challenge that the treaty directly addresses. Key points include: • A promise not to join any sanctions imposed by third countries against each other. • A guarantee not to implement unilateral coercive measures.
Interdependent financial infrastructure
The treaty includes plans to create a payment system that is independent of third-party countries. The initiative aims to: • Bypass reliance on US-dominated financial networks, such as SWIFT. • Facilitate smoother trade and investment between Russia and Iran.
This provision is a direct response to the economic obstacles both nations face due to sanctions.
Arms control
Moscow and Tehran have agreed to collaborate on global security, including: • Arms control and disarmament initiatives. • Coordinating efforts to ensure international security standards are upheld.
Energy and infrastructure
The document says that the two countries will further expand cooperation in the oil and gas sector and improve energy security through efficient use of fuel and energy resources. This includes joint ventures for the exploration and development of oil and gas fields in Russia and Iran, and peaceful use of atomic energy, including the construction of nuclear power facilities.
The sides also agreed to boost investment in renewable energy technologies, including solar, wind, and hydroelectric projects.
Fighting propaganda
To combat what both countries describe as “disinformation and negative propaganda,” the treaty promotes closer ties between Russian and Iranian media outlets. This includes: • Joint efforts to counter Western narratives. • Collaboration in producing and sharing media content.
Why does this matter?
The Russia-Iran strategic partnership treaty is a significant development. Both nations are heavily sanctioned by Western powers – Russia over the Ukraine conflict, and Iran for its nuclear program. The restrictions have severely impacted their economies, isolating them from global financial transaction systems such as SWIFT and curtailing trade opportunities.
The treaty addresses this by pledging mutual resistance to sanctions and establishing a new, independent payment system that bypasses Western control. This cooperation not only strengthens their economic resilience but also sets a precedent for other nations seeking alternatives to the current sanctions framework, potentially undermining the effectiveness of Western punitive measures.
On the security front, the agreement is particularly critical given the current geopolitical tensions. Both nations have pledged mutual defense, assuring they would not assist any aggressor against the other. This comes at a time when Iran faces a military threat from Israel and from the US, over its nuclear program, with West Jerusalem repeatedly signaling its readiness to act unilaterally.
Meanwhile, Russia remains focused on the Ukraine conflict, where NATO and the US continue to back Kiev.
