The strategic cooperation agreement that Russia and Iran are ready to sign will not include a mutual defense clause, like the pacts that Moscow signed with Pyongyang and Minsk, TASS reported, citing an Iranian representative.
"The nature of this agreement is different. They (Belarus and North Korea) have established partnership relations (with Moscow) in a number of areas that we did not particularly touch upon. The independence and security of our country, as well as its autonomy, are extremely important. We are not interested in joining any bloc,“ said Kazem Jalali, Iran's ambassador to Moscow, quoted by TASS.
Russia has partnerships with North Korea and Belarus that include a mutual defense provision. Jalali was quoted as saying that Iran would guarantee its own security, Reuters reported.
The presidents of Russia and Iran - Vladimir Putin and Massoud Pezeshkian - are expected to meet for talks in Russia on January 17, after which they will sign the long-awaited comprehensive strategic partnership agreement, the Kremlin said on January 13.