Upcoming Russia-Iran treaty to include closer defense cooperation, Lavrov says

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov attends a meeting with his Kuwaiti counterpart in Moscow on October 28, 2024. (Alexander NEMENOV / POOL / AFP)
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov attends a meeting with his Kuwaiti counterpart in Moscow on October 28, 2024. (Alexander NEMENOV / POOL / AFP)

A treaty that Russia and Iran intend to sign shortly will include closer defense cooperation, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov says.

Military ties between the two countries are a source of deep concern to the West as Russia wages war in Ukraine, while in the Middle East Iran backs a number of regional terror groups and has twice attacked Israel with missiles, to which Israel has responded with airstrikes.

“The treaty on a comprehensive strategic partnership between Russia and Iran that is being prepared will become a serious factor in strengthening Russian-Iranian relations,” Lavrov tells state television.

He says the agreement is being prepared for signing “in the near future.” Russia has said it expects Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian to visit Moscow before the end of the year.

“It will confirm the parties’ desire for closer cooperation in the field of defense and interaction in the interests of peace and security at the regional and global levels,” Lavrov says. He did not specify what form the defense ties would take.

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