Description: Presidents of Iran and Russia have met in Moscow as they signed the Strategic Alliance Cooperation agreement. The agreement would entail further close cooperation in the defense, economy and trade sectors of governance between the countries but wouldn’t include the mutual defense clause. The presidents reportedly talked on several subjects that concerned both Russia and Iran, such as the current situation in Syria, the circumventing of sanctions and military cooperation and trade. Although a significant development, which affects global geopolitical dynamics, the agreement mostly concerned Russian and Iranian joint interests moving forward.
Impact: The meeting between Pezeshkian and Putin has envisaged several key points such as regional military and trade fortification since both Russia and Iran are heavily affected by the imposed sanctions. Although presented as one of the most crucial developments in recent times from the “axis of resistance” the agreement seems mutually precautionary and does not solidify cooperative cohabitation between the countries as initially presented. Iran would further support Russia’s efforts in the war against Ukraine, while Russia would seek to undermine Western geopolitical efforts by leveraging Iran’s issues with their nuclear program as well as their regional military outreach.