Moscow, Jan 17 (Reuters) - Russian President Vladimir Putin and his Iranian counterpart Masoud Pezeshkian strengthened military ties between their countries on Friday by signing a 20-year agreement likely to raise concerns in the West.
The pact will enhance cooperation in various areas, including security services, military exercises, warship visits, and joint officer training, aiming to prevent the use of their territories for aggression and collaborating to counter military threats.
While lacking a mutual defense clause like the one in Russia's treaty with North Korea, which allegedly involved North Korean troops in Ukraine, the agreement did not address arms transfers, providing a topic of concern for the U.S. and its allies. However, they expressed intent to develop "military-technical cooperation".
During his first visit to the Kremlin since assuming office last July, Pezeshkian praised the treaty as a significant step forward in bilateral relations. Putin highlighted the potential economic benefits and emphasized the need for streamlined actions amid challenges posed by Western sanctions on both countries.
They reaffirmed their strong military support for Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, with Russia and Iran denying using their ties against other nations despite Western accusations of providing military resources for attacks. Discussions also touched on potential joint projects like a gas pipeline and new nuclear reactors.
Pezeshkian noted that the agreement signals independence from the views of distant nations and promotes a pluralistic global order. Expressing a preference for dialogue over conflict, he hoped for peaceful resolutions to conflicts, particularly mentioning the war in Ukraine.
As Moscow continues to bolster relationships with countries critical of the U.S., Pezeshkian's visit comes against a backdrop of Iran's declining influence in the region due to recent developments in Syria and targeted actions against Iran-backed groups.
The future of Russian military facilities in Syria remains uncertain following Assad's ousting.