Russian, Iranian Presidents Set to Discuss Syria, Middle East Crisis, and Nuclear Program

“Putin and Pezeshkian to Sign Strategic Cooperation Pact on Friday, Raising Concerns in the West”

Russian President Vladimir Putin and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian are set to hold high-level talks on Friday, with a key focus on strengthening bilateral ties through a strategic cooperation agreement. The move, which has been long anticipated, is expected to raise concerns in Western countries, who view both Russia and Iran as significant challenges to international security and stability.

According to a statement released by the Kremlin, the two leaders will discuss a range of crucial issues during Pezeshkian’s visit to Moscow, particularly developments in the Middle East. Among the most pressing topics are the ongoing situation in Syria, the complexities of the Israel-Hamas conflict, and the broader geopolitical landscape of the Caucasus region. Additionally, the nuclear program of Iran is expected to be a central topic, as the West continues to express concerns over Tehran’s ambitions in this area.

The Kremlin emphasized that the relationship between Russia and Iran is growing rapidly, grounded in mutual respect and alignment of interests. Both countries are looking to deepen their cooperation in areas such as energy, security, and military affairs, despite facing global scrutiny for their actions on the world stage.

As the strategic cooperation agreement is signed, it marks a significant step in the relationship between the two nations, further cementing their partnership at a time when tensions with Western powers remain high.

Earlier, Russia’s state-owned TASS news agency reported that Iran’s ambassador to Moscow, Kazem Jalali, clarified that the strategic cooperation agreement between Russia and Iran would not include a mutual defense clause, unlike the pacts Moscow has signed with North Korea and Belarus. This clarification comes as the West closely monitors the growing ties between the two nations, wary of any military alliances that could shift the balance of power in the region.

Jalali’s statement suggests that while the agreement will deepen bilateral relations in areas such as trade, energy, and security, it will not create formal defense obligations between Russia and Iran. This distinction may ease some of the concerns in Western capitals, where the prospect of military collaboration between Russia and Iran has been a source of anxiety.

Iran’s Ambassador to Moscow, Kazem Jalali, further emphasized that the nature of the strategic cooperation agreement between Russia and Iran is distinct from the defense-focused pacts signed by Moscow with Belarus and North Korea. Jalali noted that while those agreements established broader partnership relations, the Iran-Russia deal does not specifically address areas such as mutual defense. “Our country’s independence and security, as well as self-reliance, are extremely important. We are not interested in joining any bloc,” Jalali stated, signaling Iran’s intent to maintain its autonomy in international relations.

The growing ties between Russia and Iran have become more pronounced in recent years, particularly since Moscow’s February 2022 invasion of Ukraine, which has led to heightened cooperation between the two nations in areas like trade and energy. According to the Kremlin’s statement, total trade between the two countries has seen a significant increase, rising 15.5% year-on-year in the first ten months of 2024, underlining the strengthening economic and strategic partnership despite mounting international scrutiny.

Last year, Ukraine accused Russia of launching over 8,000 Shahed drones, which were reportedly developed by Iran, since the beginning of its invasion in February 2022. Ukraine first raised the allegation in the autumn of 2022, when it claimed that Iran had supplied the drones to Russia, a move that further strained relations between Kyiv and Tehran.

These Shahed drones, also known as kamikaze drones, have been used by Russia to target Ukrainian infrastructure, causing significant damage. The drones are part of Russia’s increasing reliance on unmanned aerial systems (UAVs) as part of its military strategy in Ukraine. Iran’s involvement in supplying these drones has been a point of contention, with Western nations accusing Tehran of indirectly supporting Russia’s military aggression in Ukraine, a claim that Iran has denied.

Courtesy: Hindustan Times

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