After the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022, the relationship between Iran and Russia has become steadily closer. According to ISW, the two parties are preparing to deepen this further by signing a bilateral agreement. In this context, Moscow can still obtain large-scale supplies from the Persian state. Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu and Iranian Defense Minister Mohammad Reza Astiani outlined their plan to strengthen “the principles of Russian-Iranian relations” in a separate phone conversation on Monday.
Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov also participated in the meeting, who discussed issues of economic development, trade, transportation and logistics with his Iranian counterpart.
According to ISW, current contracts need to be amended because Moscow wants to buy short-range ballistic missiles from Iran. According to American officials, the first shipments of these weapons to the Russians may take place in the spring. Information regarding the agreement's official entry into force is not yet known. There was already a military contract between the two countries, within the framework of which Iranian Shahed drones arrived to the Russians, which the Russians then began to manufacture and develop.
Because of Western sanctions against Russia, Russia has begun turning to countries that were already ostracized by much of the international community to supply it with weapons. Thus, in addition to Persian power, Moscow's leadership maintains an increasingly close relationship with North Korea.
Cover image source: Portfolio
