Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian received Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow on Friday and said he hoped to sign agreements on the building of a nuclear power plant in Iran. A meeting in anticipation of the signing of a strategic partnership treaty, which will raise defense cooperation between the two countries, is likely to raise some eyebrows in the West.
Received in one of the grand Kremlin halls, Pezeshkian, who arrived for his first visit to the Kremlin as president last July, sat across from Putin behind an ornate table decorated with the flags of the two countries. “We will discuss all areas of our cooperation and also sign an Agreement on a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership,” said Putin, mentioning that long-anticipated work on such an agreement is complete.
The Russian president highlighted that this would seal trade and economic relationships, especially after Moscow has embarked on a campaign to cement relationships with Iran and other foes of Washington, as well as with North Korea, ever since the war in Ukraine. Russia is engaged in reinforcing strategic ties with countries that include Belarus and China.
Though the 20-year deal between Russia and Iran is unlikely to include a mutual defense commitment, as those with Pyongyang and Minsk do, it is likely to unsettle the West, which views both countries as destabilizing forces. But officials in Moscow and Tehran continue to insist that their budding alliance is directed against no third parties.
The partnership has seen Russia, so far, extensively use Iranian drones in its military operations in Ukraine. In September, the U.S. accused Tehran of supplying ballistic missiles to Russia, a claim that has been denied by Iran. Though the Kremlin hasn’t confirmed the acquisition of missiles from Iran, it admits cooperation in “sensitive areas.”
Historically, Russia has been a significant military technology supplier to Iran, and it acquired some of the S-300 air defense systems. Iranian media reports also reflect interest in advanced systems-like S-400-coupled with Russian fighter jets.
The visit by Pezeshkian comes at a time when Iranian influence is seen as weakening, especially after setbacks in Syria and Gaza. Meanwhile, Russia faces challenges in Syria, as its military presence is uncertain amid shifting local dynamics.
During the visit, Pezeshkian also had meetings with the Prime Minister of Russia Mikhail Mishustin over an increase in activities in transportation, energy, education, tourism, and cultural spheres. They reportedly would address an influence of the Western sanctions against Iran regarding oil production.
Most significantly, Russia constructed the first Iranian nuclear power plant at Bushehr, which was commissioned in 2013, and has contracts for two more reactors. It is therefore another important aspect of the atomic collaboration between these countries.
