Russia and Iran have agreed to closer military cooperation, in a move President Masoud Pezeshkian announced during a visit to Moscow.
The two countries signed a 20-year “strategic partnership” agreement, covering areas from defense and technology to energy and trade.
Iran is already supplying Russia with drones, as well as, according to Western intelligence, ballistic missiles.
Russia has cultivated closer ties with Iran, along with China and North Korea, since its all-out invasion of Ukraine began in February 2022.
In the agreement, Russia and Iran undertook to consult and cooperate in solving military and security threats, as well as to participate in joint military exercises on their territories and beyond.
They also agreed not to allow their territories to be used for actions that endanger the other side.
Iranian President Pezeshkian said that the signing of the agreement means that Russia and Iran are entering a new chapter in relations.
Trade between the two countries could be significantly improved by greater cooperation in the energy sector.
During 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 is also seeking to sell some of its excess gas to Tehran. Since the start of the war in Ukraine, the EU has significantly reduced gas imports from Russia, prompting Moscow to sign up new customers.
The planned gas pipeline from Russia to Iran, which the two countries are negotiating, will be placed through the territory of Azerbaijan if it is realized, the Interfax news agency reported on Friday, citing Russian Energy Minister Sergey Tsivilev.
Russia could supply Iran with up to 55 billion cubic meters of gas per year, Putin said.