Russia-Iran relations are about to reach an important turning point

In a notable move on the world geopolitical chessboard, Iranian President Massoud Pezeshkian will make an official visit to Moscow on January 17 to sign the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Treaty with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

This event marks an important turning point in the relationship between the two countries, Sputnik (Russia) reported on January 16.

The foundation of partnership

According to Associate Professor Foad Izadi of the Department of American Studies at the University of Tehran, the upcoming signing of the cooperation treaty between Russia and Iran highlights the fact that the two countries have many common geographical and strategic interests. The two countries share the Caspian Sea and have a historical relationship that spans centuries.

Mr. Izadi noted that the hostile attitude of the US and some European countries towards Russia and Iran also requires “more cooperation between the two countries,” adding that “to ensure that we live in a better world, countries with similar interests and goals should cooperate with each other.”

For his part, Russian military expert Yuri Lyamin from the Center for Analysis of Strategies and Technologies said that the cooperation treaty between the two countries, signed in 2001, no longer meets the current needs of cooperation. Lyamin stressed that in the new agreement, security cooperation will hold a "special place".

Key areas of cooperation

The first, economic and trade cooperation. With both countries under sanctions from the West, strengthening economic ties is inevitable. Expert Izadi pointed out that Iran can supply many items that Russia previously imported from Europe.

“Russia used to buy a lot of goods from Europe before the conflict in Ukraine and some of those goods were available in Iran. So Iranian companies will be happy to supply some products that are not coming to Russia from Europe,” he said.

Monday, defense and security cooperation. This area is considered "an integral part of Iran-Russia relations for decades". "Iran possesses a number of capabilities in these areas that Russia wants to exploit and use.

On the other hand, Russia also has potential that Iran is interested in. So, like any other relationship, there is a give-and-take exchange between the two sides,” Izadi commented.

Tuesday, space cooperation. Expert Izadi emphasized the prospects of cooperation in the space sector, where Russia has "more advanced technology than Iran".

For his part, expert Lyamin added that Iran is particularly interested in Russia's "huge experience" in launching satellites into orbit.

In terms of political significance, the treaty was signed in a complex geopolitical context in the Middle East, especially after the collapse of the Assad regime in Syria - an important ally of both Russia and Iran.

In addition to signing the treaty, the Russian and Iranian leaders are expected to discuss expanding bilateral cooperation in the fields of trade, investment, transport, logistics and humanitarian affairs.

"The treaty will confirm the parties' desire for closer cooperation in the defense sphere and interaction in the interests of peace and security at the regional and global levels," Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said.