Iran announced on Monday that it will sign a strategic partnership with Russia in the coming months, following a similar agreement with China seven months ago as part of its eastward and neighboring countries policy. This rapprochement with Chinese and Russian allies comes amid rising distrust of the West within the Islamic Republic and during a period of heightened tensions with the United States.
Foreign Affairs Spokesman Saeed Khatibzadeh stated, "The East axis is taking shape between Iran, China, and Russia. In recent years, it has become necessary to enhance relations between Iran and Russia and focus on strategic partnerships." He confirmed in his weekly press conference that "the preliminary measures for the document titled the Comprehensive Cooperation Charter between Iran and Russia have been finalized."
He added, "We are in the process of finalizing various provisions of the document and will send it to Moscow. We hope that this document will be signed in the coming months. It aligns with the 25-year strategic plan signed with China." On March 27, Iran and China signed a 25-year strategic and trade cooperation agreement after years of discussions, which includes "political and economic" clauses.
In September, Iran's membership in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, led by Russia and China, was approved. The unilateral withdrawal of Washington in 2018 from the international nuclear agreement and the inability of Europeans to help the Islamic Republic bypass U.S. sanctions reinstated that year convinced Iranian authorities that the West is not a "reliable partner," as expressed by the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
Iran has indicated its intention to prioritize relationships with the "East," specifically countries such as China, the Koreas, India, Japan, and Russia.
