The Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Agreement between Moscow and Tehran aims to develop all aspects of bilateral relations, including defense cooperation, but does not envisage the creation of a military alliance. This was stated by Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, quoted by TASS and BTA.
“This is a truly comprehensive agreement that concerns all aspects of bilateral relations, with a special emphasis on the economy and trade. "It also includes cooperation in the field of security and defense, but it is not aimed at creating a military alliance," Araghchi explained in a statement to Iranian state television.
The agreement is not aimed at third parties and does not limit Moscow and Tehran from concluding agreements with other countries, the Iranian minister added.
Earlier, Iran's ambassador to Russia, Kazem Jalali, announced that the agreement between the two countries would be valid for 20 years. According to officials, the agreement covers multiple areas of bilateral cooperation, including defense, counterterrorism, energy, finance, transport, industry, agriculture, culture, science and technology.
Currently, relations between Moscow and Tehran are governed by a 2001 treaty, which was concluded for 10 years and is automatically extended for five-year periods.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov announced that the new agreement would be signed after talks between the presidents of the two countries on January 17.