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Iran-Russia 20-Year Pact Includes Military Cooperation, Arms Transfers, and Joint Exercises

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Liubava Petriv
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Iran-Russia 20-Year Pact Includes Military Cooperation, Arms Transfers, and Joint Exercises
Russia’s leader Vladimir Putin shakes hands with Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi during a meeting at the Kremlin in Moscow on April 17, 2025. (Source: Getty Images)

Iran’s parliament has approved a 20-year strategic cooperation agreement with Russia, signaling a deepening alliance between the two countries across defense, economic, and diplomatic spheres, Iran International reports on May 21.

The wide-ranging deal, which includes 47 articles, formalizes long-term collaboration on key issues such as military cooperation, trade, energy, and global positioning.

At the core of the deal is a mutual commitment to respect sovereignty, territorial integrity, and non-interference in internal affairs—a foundational principle in both countries’ foreign policy.

The pact also lays out plans for comprehensive military-technical cooperation, including joint exercises, military education, and the potential transfer of arms. Lawmakers suggested this could pave the way for Iran to acquire advanced Russian military hardware, such as air defense systems, fighter jets, and naval equipment.

Economically, the agreement promotes stronger integration in strategic sectors such as oil, gas, nuclear energy, transportation, and finance. It also includes provisions to mitigate the impact of Western sanctions by developing alternative financial mechanisms independent of the US dollar and SWIFT system.

On the global stage, the two nations have pledged to coordinate positions within international organizations like the United Nations. Their alignment reflects a shared vision of a new multipolar world order, where power is more broadly distributed and less dominated by Western alliances.

Technological cooperation is another pillar of the agreement. Iran and Russia plan to deepen collaboration in cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, and the digital economy—areas increasingly central to global influence and security.

During the parliamentary debate, Iranian lawmaker Hamid Rasai highlighted the strategic importance of the agreement, saying, “The strategic treaty is vital from economic, security, geopolitical, and diplomatic perspectives. Both Iran and Russia are under heavy Western sanctions. This partnership can help reduce dependence on the dollar and strengthen national and military security.”

Rasai also noted the potential for military upgrades, stating that Russia could provide Iran with advanced weapons systems, including air defense technologies, fighter jets, and naval equipment.

Echoing this sentiment, MP Mohammad Reza Ahmadi of Rasht declared, “It is in our interest to align with those who oppose America.”

The agreement follows a period of growing Iran-Russia military cooperation, particularly since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

Previously, it was reported that Iran is set to deliver Fath-360 launchers for short-range ballistic missiles to Russia soon, according to two Western security officials and a regional source.

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