Russia and Iran have moved to strengthen their military ties

Russia and Iran have agreed to greater military cooperation, in a move announced during President Massoud Pezheshkian’s visit to Moscow.

The two countries have signed a 20-year “strategic partnership” agreement on areas ranging from defense and technology to energy and trade.

Iran already supplies Russia with drones, as well as ballistic missiles, according to Western intelligence.

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Under the agreement, Russia and Iran pledged to advise and cooperate in countering military and security threats, and pledged to participate in joint military exercises within their territories and beyond.

They also agreed that their territories should not be used for activities that threaten the other side.

Iranian President Pezheshkian said the signing of the agreement means that Russia and Iran are entering a new phase of relations.

With more cooperation in the energy sector, trade between the two countries can be greatly improved.

In a joint press conference with his Iranian counterpart, Russian President Vladimir Putin said that his country is considering building new nuclear power plants in Iran.

Moscow also wants to sell some of the surplus gas to Tehran. Since the start of the war in Ukraine, the European Union has sharply reduced gas imports from Russia, prompting Moscow to sign up new customers.

Interfax news agency quoted Russian Energy Minister Sergey Tsivilev as saying that if the gas transmission line planned to be extended from Russia to Iran and which the two countries are negotiating becomes a reality, it will be extended through the territory of Azerbaijan.

Russia could eventually supply Iran with up to 55 billion cubic meters of gas per year, Putin said.