Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a comprehensive strategic partnership treaty that includes cooperation on trade, defense, culture and science, though specific details were not publicized, AP reported on Jan. 17.

Iran and Russia have discussed this treaty for years but accelerated negotiations in recent months due to increased Russian reliance on Iranian weapons, such as the Shahed drone, in its war with Ukraine amid Western sanctions. In 2022, the volume of Russia-Iran trade increased year over year by 20% to $5 billion. Then, in 2023, Russia became Iran’s largest provider of foreign direct investment, specifically focusing on investment in mining, transportation and industrial sectors. In addition, a 2024 memorandum of understanding between Russia's Gazprom and the National Iranian Gas Co. showed bilateral aspirations to increase energy cooperation.