Iran and Russia Sign Expansive 20-Year Pact, Deepening Military and Strategic Alliance
Iran has formally approved a far-reaching 20-year cooperation agreement with Russia, signaling a decisive shift toward closer political, military, and economic alignment between the two states. The deal, passed by Iran’s parliament on May 21, outlines an ambitious framework for bilateral engagement that touches on nearly every sphere of national interest from defense coordination to technological innovation.
The Gaze reports on this with reference to Iran International.
The pact comprises 47 articles and is being hailed in Tehran as a cornerstone for future resilience in the face of ongoing Western sanctions. It enshrines commitments to joint military initiatives, arms transfers, energy projects, financial independence, and enhanced diplomatic coordination on the world stage.
One of the central pillars of the agreement is expanded defense cooperation. It outlines intentions for regular joint military exercises, education and training exchanges, and the potential for Iran to acquire cutting-edge Russian military equipment, such as surface-to-air missile systems, modern fighter aircraft, and naval hardware. Iranian lawmakers suggested the agreement could mark a turning point in the modernization of the country’s armed forces.
Economically, the two states are seeking to reinforce ties in energy production, particularly in oil, gas, and nuclear sectors, as well as in infrastructure, banking, and transportation. Importantly, the agreement includes measures to develop financial mechanisms independent of Western institutions, aiming to reduce reliance on the US dollar and circumvent global systems like SWIFT.
On the diplomatic front, the agreement sets out a roadmap for coordination in international institutions such as the United Nations, where both countries frequently challenge Western initiatives. The pact reflects a broader push by Moscow and Tehran to shape a more multipolar world order that dilutes U.S. and EU influence.
Equally troubling is the accord’s focus on cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, and digital infrastructure – domains that could be weaponized for surveillance, cyberattacks, or global disinformation campaigns.
This strategic partnership comes on the heels of an already intensifying military relationship between the two nations – one that has deepened since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. It formalizes an ideological and geopolitical Iran-Russia partnership aimed at undermining the values and institutions that underpin global security.
As The Gaze reported earlier, Russia plans to begin supplying natural gas to Iran as early as 2025, strengthening an emerging energy alliance between the two internationally isolated states.