Russian Federation Council approves Comprehensive Strategic Agreement with Iran
The Russian Federation Council approved the "Comprehensive Strategic Agreement" with the Islamic Republic of Iran.
The Russian Federation Council, at its meeting today, Wednesday, April 17, in the upper house of parliament, approved the "Comprehensive Strategic Agreement" agreement between Iran and Russia by a majority vote.
The agreement was signed in Moscow in January of this year (2025) by Iranian President Masoud Pezzekian and Russian President Vladimir Putin. At the meeting, members of the Federation Council emphasized the importance of strengthening Russian-Iranian relations and described the ratification of the agreement as a step towards expanding bilateral cooperation in various fields.
Negotiations to ratify the agreement began in 2021, but have accelerated in recent years due to international developments and their impact on the two countries, including the tightening of sanctions against Iran and Russia. According to statements by officials from both countries, the ratification of the agreement is a response to the “unilateral policies of the West.”
This agreement, as a long-term document, sets a framework for cooperation between Iran and Russia in the security, economic, political, scientific, cultural and energy fields. Despite the fact that the Russian State Duma approved the agreement with a majority vote, the Iranian Islamic Consultative Assembly has not yet formally ratified it.
The agreement states: "The parties should commit to expanding military and security cooperation, technology exchange, participation in infrastructure and energy projects, as well as coordination on regional and international issues. In addition, cultural and academic ties should also be strengthened between the two countries."
Experts believe that the ratification of the agreement indicates that Russia and Iran are determined to create new strategic alliances in the post-Ukraine war era and in confrontation with the United States and the West. The two countries are also trying to overcome economic and political pressures from the West through long-term cooperation.
