Iran flexes muscle as strategic treaty with Russia takes effect

The Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Treaty between Iran and Russia came into effect on Thursday and will remain valid for 20 years, marking a success for Tehran just days after the return of pre-2015 UN nuclear sanctions.

Iran’s Foreign Ministry said the two countries will spare no effort to safeguard multilateralism and respect for international law, “by strengthening cooperation within the framework of multilateral organisations and arrangements such as BRICS and the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation.”

The Strategic Partnership Pact, concluded on 17 January 2025 in Moscow by President Masoud Pezeshkian and President Vladimir Putin, outlines enhanced cooperation between Tehran and Moscow across bilateral, regional, and international fields.

The treaty comprises 47 articles covering collaboration in technology, information and cybersecurity, peaceful nuclear energy, counterterrorism, regional cooperation, environmental protection, and combating money laundering and organised crime.

The announcement follows the reinstatement of UN nuclear sanctions on Iran last week, despite a joint Russia-China draft resolution at the Security Council proposing a six-month delay in their return.

Tehran has also signed a comprehensive 25-year cooperation agreement with Beijing. Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, in a message marking China’s National Day, described China as Iran’s “comprehensive strategic partner.” He added: “Regardless of any possible changes in the international situation, Iran will continue to deepen its relations with China.”

In response to the sanctions, Iran strongly condemned the Group of Seven (G7) for supporting the reinstatement. Foreign Ministry Spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei described the G7’s backing of the EU/US action as “hypocritical and a distortion of reality,” favouring a measure that “violated international law.”

G7 foreign ministers, meanwhile, welcomed the snapback mechanism invoked by France, Germany, and the UK (E3) to restore UN nuclear sanctions.

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