Iran and Russia about to sign a comprehensive defense treaty
On Thursday, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov declared that improved defense cooperation will be part of a comprehensive deal Russia is expected to conclude shortly with Iran. In the West, this scenario causes questions especially while Russia is running military operations in Ukraine and tensions between Iran and Israel get higher.
According to Lavrov, the forthcoming pact will mark a major improvement in Russian-Iranian ties. He pointed out that the deal is ready for signing "in the near future" and highlighted hopes of an imminent visit to Moscow by Iran's President Masoud Pezeshkian before the year ends.
Though he did not specify exactly the nature of the defense cooperation, Lavrov said, "this treaty will confirm the parties' desire for closer cooperation in the field of defense and interaction in the interests of peace and security at the regional and global levels."
Russia has strengthened ties to Iran and North Korea, both of which criticize U.S. policy, since the start of the conflict in Ukraine. President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un signed a such deal with a mutual defense clause earlier this year.
The U.S. accused Iran of providing Russia with close-range ballistic missiles for use in Ukraine in September, leading penalties against ships and businesses allegedly engaged in the armaments delivery. Tehran disputes these accusations, claiming it has not given Russia missiles or drones; the Kremlin has admitted its military cooperation with Iran involves "the most sensitive areas."
