Iran-Russia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Treaty Officially Activated

Landmark Treaty Enters Force

The Iranian-Russian Treaty on Comprehensive Strategic Partnership has officially come into effect as of October 2, 2025. This landmark agreement, signed by Russian President Vladimir Putin and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian in Moscow on January 17, 2025, is designed to govern relations between the two nations for the next 20 years, with provisions for automatic renewal every five years. Both the Iranian and Russian Foreign Ministries confirmed the activation, hailing it as a significant milestone in their bilateral relations. The treaty, comprising 47 articles, establishes a broad framework for enhanced cooperation across multiple sectors.

Broadening Cooperation Across Key Sectors

The comprehensive treaty outlines extensive collaboration in critical areas, including defense, energy, technology, and finance. In the defense sector, the agreement fosters military-technical cooperation, counter-terrorism efforts, and intelligence sharing. It also includes provisions for joint military exercises, exchange of military delegations, and visits of warships. On the energy front, the partnership aims to boost cooperation in oil, natural gas, and civil nuclear energy. This includes a significant $25 billion agreement for the construction of four new nuclear power plants in Iran, with plans for an additional eight, targeting a total capacity of 20 gigawatts by 2040. Furthermore, the treaty addresses joint ventures in infrastructure development and gas pipeline projects.

Technological cooperation focuses on information and cybersecurity, alongside the exchange of expertise in managing national internet segments. Financially, the treaty seeks to expand economic cooperation, mitigate the impact of Western sanctions, and develop alternative financial systems. Bilateral trade between the two countries saw a 15.5% increase, reaching $3.77 billion in the first ten months of 2024, reflecting the growing economic ties. Other areas of cooperation span culture, transportation, industries, agriculture, science, regional coordination, environmental issues, and combating money laundering and organized crime.

Geopolitical Implications and Official Stance

The activation of the treaty is viewed by both Tehran and Moscow as a strategic move to strengthen their alignment and counter Western influence, promoting what they describe as a 'multipolar world order.' The Russian Foreign Ministry stated that the treaty 'reflects the strategic choice of the political leadership of Russia and Iran in favour of further strengthening our friendly and good-neighbourly relations, which meets the fundamental interest of our two nations.' The Iranian Foreign Ministry echoed this sentiment, emphasizing that the treaty 'mirrors the willpower of leaders of the two countries to further deepen and enhance relations in all areas of mutual interest based on mutual respect, good neighborliness and common interests of the two nations.'

The ratification process saw the Russian State Duma approve the treaty on April 8, 2025, followed by the Federation Council on April 16, 2025, with President Putin signing it into law on April 21, 2025. Iran's Parliament ratified the agreement on May 21, 2025, and the Guardian Council approved it on June 11, 2025. While the treaty significantly deepens military and security cooperation, it notably does not include a mutual defense clause, indicating a strategic partnership rather than a full military alliance. Both nations have also pledged to uphold multilateralism and international law, coordinating within organizations such as BRICS and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO).