Russian President Vladimir Putin and Iranian President Masoud Peshmerga signed a comprehensive strategic partnership agreement in Moscow on Friday. The two leaders discussed expanding bilateral cooperation in politics, trade, security, transport and energy, and described it as a “very successful partnership,” Putin said at the signing ceremony.
The expansion of cooperation between Iran and Russia is likely to raise concerns in the West. It is Iranian President Peshmerga’s first visit to Russia since taking office in July. The two leaders also discussed bilateral relations and international affairs before signing the strategic partnership agreement.
Russia praised the talks ahead of the talks, saying ties with Iran had never been closer. Iran is an important partner for Russia, Russian government spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters. Since the start of the war in Ukraine, Russia has been building closer ties with Iran and other countries that are at odds with the United States. It has also signed strategic cooperation agreements with its close neighbors Belarus, North Korea and China.
