Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Agreement between Iran and Russia

The Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Agreement between Iran and Russia is a comprehensive intergovernmental agreement regulating long-term cooperation between the Islamic Republic of Iran and the Russian Federation. The agreement was signed on 17 January 2025 at the Kremlin Palace in Moscow and was ratified by the Russian Federal Assembly in April 2025 and by the Iranian Parliament on 21 May 2025. It officially entered into force on 2 October 2025.

The agreement is valid for a period of 20 years and will be automatically extended in five-year increments unless one party notifies the other of its intention to terminate it at least one year in advance. The agreement consists of 47 articles and provides for cooperation in numerous areas including political, economic, military, security, cultural, scientific, environmental, energy and transport sectors.

The parties have defined the agreement as “comprehensive long-term and strategic” and emphasized the goal of strengthening the institutional and legal framework of relations between the two countries. The agreement is situated within the historical continuity of previous treaties signed between the two countries during the twentieth century, including the 1921 Treaty of Friendship between Iran and the Soviet Union, the 1940 Trade and Navigation Agreement, and the 2001 Agreement on Principles of Mutual Relations and Cooperation.

In this context, the agreement has been prepared with the objective of elevating bilateral relations to a new level based on long-term cooperation grounded in mutual sovereignty, territorial integrity and non-interference in internal affairs under the framework of international law.

Negotiation and Signing Process

Preparations for the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Agreement between Iran and Russia began in 2021. This process was undertaken with the aim of renewing and expanding the 2001 Agreement on Principles of Mutual Relations and Cooperation previously signed between the two countries.

The signing ceremony took place on 17 January 2025 at the Kremlin Palace in Moscow. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and Russian President Vladimir Putin attended the ceremony and signed the agreement. Following the signing, the two leaders held a joint press conference.

At the signing ceremony, Russian President Vladimir Putin described the agreement as a document that “deepens bilateral cooperation in the long term” and creates new opportunities in economic and strategic fields. Iranian President Pezeshkian stated that relations had entered a new phase, particularly aiming to expand trade.

In a statement issued by the Kremlin, it was indicated that the agreement would strengthen military-political and commercial-economic relations. It was also emphasized that during the drafting process, the 2001 agreement served as the foundation and its scope was further expanded.

Shortly after the signing of the agreement, issues such as the direct use of national currencies in economic relations between Iran and Russia, integration of payment systems, and the development of the North-South Transport Corridor projects came to the forefront.

Parliamentary Approval Processes

The Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Agreement signed between Russia and Iran underwent approval procedures in the legislative bodies of both countries following the signing ceremony. First, the Russian State Duma approved the agreement in April 2025, followed by the Federation Council, which gave its consent in the same direction. Thus, all necessary legal procedures on the Russian side were completed.

In Iran, the agreement was approved by the Islamic Consultative Assembly on 21 May 2025. According to a statement by the Iranian Parliament News Agency (ICANA), the agreement encompasses comprehensive cooperation in areas such as military defense, counter-terrorism, economy, trade, energy, transport, agriculture and culture. Since the agreement had already been approved by Russia, its entry into force process was nearing completion.

The agreement entered into force thirty days after both parties formally notified each other in writing that they had completed their respective domestic procedures. On 2 October 2025, the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs officially announced that the agreement had entered into force. On the same day, the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs described the development as an “important turning point in interstate relations.” The entry into force of the agreement occurred shortly after the reimposition of United Nations sanctions against Iran.

Key Provisions of the Agreement

The Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Agreement between Iran and Russia consists of a total of forty-seven articles. These articles contain broad provisions covering political, security, economic, energy, cultural and environmental areas.

• Security and Defense: The parties have committed to cooperation against common military and security threats, organizing joint military exercises, exchanging military personnel and enhancing military-technical cooperation. According to the agreement, if one party is attacked, the other party agrees not to support the aggressor state. Furthermore, it is stipulated that neither party’s territory shall be used for separatist movements or activities threatening the security of the other party.

• Counter-Terrorism and Security: The agreement provides for cooperation in combating international terrorism, extremism, organized crime, human trafficking, drug trafficking and money laundering. The parties have agreed to coordinate through INTERPOL and other international organizations.

• Economy and Finance: The agreement mandates trade in national currencies, the establishment of an independent payment system and the development of interbank cooperation. Mutual investment in free and special economic zones, the development of joint financial products and coordinated action against unilateral international sanctions are also among the core provisions of the agreement.

• Energy and Transport: Long-term joint projects are planned in the fields of natural gas, oil and peaceful nuclear energy. Cooperation in the energy sector, including the construction of nuclear power plants, is included among the agreement’s provisions. The development of the North-South Transport Corridor, coordination in railway, maritime and air transport, and the creation of new logistics routes are also foreseen.

• Agriculture and Environment: Joint efforts in agriculture, food security, plant health and veterinary science have been agreed upon. The protection of the Caspian Sea as a zone of peace and cooperation, prevention of environmental pollution, conservation of biodiversity and sustainable use of marine resources are among the issues addressed in the agreement.

• Health and Science: The agreement provides for cooperation in epidemiology, prevention of infectious and non-infectious diseases, improvement of health systems and joint medical projects. Cooperation in space research, information security and digital technologies is also included.

• Culture, Education and Media: The agreement provides for the promotion of official languages and cultures, the establishment of cultural centers and the exchange of students and academics. Media cooperation includes a joint commitment to combat disinformation and negative propaganda. Joint activities in youth, sports and tourism are also included.

• International Cooperation: The parties have agreed to coordinate their actions within the United Nations, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, BRICS and other international organizations. A unified stance against unilateral sanctions, support for a multipolar world order and the preservation of international peace and security are among the core provisions of the agreement.

Entry into Force of the Agreement

The Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Agreement between Iran and Russia officially entered into force on 2 October 2025. In a written statement, the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs described this development as a turning point in bilateral relations and stated that the agreement would elevate friendly ties to a higher level across various fields. On the same day, the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs also characterized the entry into force as an “important turning point” and stated that joint efforts in a multipolar international order would be strengthened.

In September 2025, during the 25th Shanghai Cooperation Organization Summit held in Tianjin, China, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and Russian President Vladimir Putin met and reaffirmed their commitment to implementing the agreement. At the summit, the parties emphasized that the agreement must not only be signed but also actively implemented through intensified joint efforts.

A day after the agreement entered into force, the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that the document provides a clear framework for cooperation across wide areas including defense, energy, finance, agriculture, science and technology. It also noted that the agreement establishes mechanisms contributing to international peace and security and supports multilateralism based on the principles of the United Nations Charter.

In a Russian statement, it was also indicated that the agreement would contribute to strengthening stability in the region and enable coordinated responses to common threats and challenges. Particular emphasis was placed on increased coordination between the parties in the fields of security, economy and diplomacy.

These developments were celebrated through joint statements, diplomatic engagements and official ceremonies. Iran and Russia have characterized the agreement as a long-term and strategic choice and confirmed that mutual relations have been institutionalized into a durable structural framework.