This week, an IRGC commander revealed that Iran has secured Russian-made Sukhoi-35 fighter jets.
On the same day, state media reported that the IRGC's naval forces "fired Ghaem and Almas missiles equipped with artificial intelligence from advanced Mohajer-6 and Ababil-5 drones." Stating that the precision-guided missiles developed domestically by the Iranian defense ministry "successfully destroyed hypothetical enemy targets," IRGC naval commander Alireza Tangsiri also revealed that Iran was producing cruise missiles with ranges "exceeding 1,000 kilometers (621 miles) that are utilized with AI technology."
These moves aren’t happening in isolation. They come just weeks after Russia and Iran sealed a 20-year Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Treaty, signed by Vladimir Putin and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian.
Comprising forty-seven articles, the two-decade-long partnership, which "may be amended and supplemented," is likely to have long-lasting geopolitical implications.
The Treaty gives significant impetus to cooperation in a broad range of areas as wide-ranging as military, technology, and trade. The Agreement tightens military ties, deepens defense collaboration, and fast-tracks joint training, intelligence sharing, and warship deployments.
While stating that both parties shall "not provide any military or other assistance to the aggressor which would contribute to the continued aggression" and shall resort to "the United Nations Charter and other applicable rules of international law" to resolve such issues, the Treaty also explicitly rules out supporting "separatist movements and other actions that threaten the stability and territorial integrity" of the signatories.
Though the Agreement falls short of a military alliance, its broad scope and stated intents give cause for concern. The Treaty aims to promote "joint projects in the area of peaceful use of nuclear energy, including the construction of nuclear energy facilities" and expand "cooperation in the oil and gas sector." With Tehran potentially weeks away from a nuclear breakthrough, Iran insists its program is peaceful. Analysts, however, warn that the hardline regime is working to build a nuclear weapon as a deterrent to Israel. Though Russia may not want Iran to possess an atomic weapon that tilts the power balance in the region, Moscow has been aiding the country's nuclear ambitions for decades.
Besides these crucial sectors like defense and energy, Russia and Iran aim to promote "trade, economic and industrial cooperation, creating mutual economic benefits, including joint investments, infrastructure financing, easing of trade and business mechanisms" in the next twenty years. Bilateral trade has been steadily increasing over the past few years. Last year, Iran's Customs Administration reported that non-oil trade between the two countries had touched $1.902 billion in just nine months (March-December 2024).
The Treaty undoubtedly aims to challenge and counter Western domination and create a "multi-polar world." Largely isolated on the global stage since it invaded Ukraine, Russia is shoring up its allies and alliances. Though Tehran has indicated that it would welcome a negotiated end to the Ukraine war, the two have collaborated throughout the conflict, supplying drones and exchanging intel.
Faced with relentless Western sanctions, Moscow and Tehran are racing to secure economic lifelines. Their latest move? The North-South International Transport Corridor—a trade route cutting through Iran and Azerbaijan—designed to bypass traditional chokepoints and keep commerce flowing. The multi-modal transport network will enable Russian goods to bypass traditional maritime chokepoints like the Suez Canal and sensitive geopolitical spots like the Baltics. Further, the Agreement to "transition to bilateral settlements in national currencies" is an attempt to circumvent international sanctions that have depleted their national coffers.
Iran’s entry into BRICS and last year’s inclusion in the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) solidify its alignment with China and Russia. These alliances bring together nations that oppose the Washington-led Western bloc—or strategically pick sides based on their national interests. Multiple forums like the BRICS and the SCO that facilitate diplomatic engagements could drive Tehran closer to China, creating parallel international institutions and power structures that weaken the West's hold on maintaining a rules-based order. They could also erode the bite of international sanctions – the West's chosen way of dealing with rogue regimes and non-friendly countries.
Despite its extended and expansive vision of the Treaty, the geopolitical climate in the region is volatile and could impact the two parties. It would be interesting to see how the new Syrian administration under Prime Minister Mohammed al-Bashir deals with the two friends of former dictator Bashar al-Assad.
The unexpected and sudden fall of the Assad-led regime in Syria and President Trump's return to the White House are believed to have nudged the two countries to formalize ties that have been growing warmer over the past few years. This Agreement doesn’t just signal unity—it cements a defiant new bloc against the West.
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