Russia, Iran finalize comprehensive strategic partnership agreement

Russia and Iran have completed the preparation of a comprehensive strategic partnership agreement, with a historic signing expected soon, according to Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Andrey Rudenko.

In an interview with Russian news outlet TASS, Rudenko stated, “During highly productive consultations in Moscow on June 21, legal and territorial experts from the foreign ministries of both countries finalized the text of the agreement. Following these discussions, both sides agreed to initiate domestic procedures necessary for preparing the agreement for signing at an upcoming high-level bilateral meeting. We hope to witness this truly historic event in the near future.”

Iranian troops assist Russia in Crimea

On October 21, 2022, a U.S. White House press release announced that Iranian troops were in Crimea aiding Russia in launching drone attacks against Ukrainian civilians and infrastructure. Ukrainian officials reported that ten Iranian personnel had been killed, vowing to target any further Iranian military presence in Ukraine.

The Institute for the Study of War identified these troops as likely affiliated with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), the primary operator of Iranian drones. Since the Russian invasion of Ukraine began in February 2022, Iran has provided substantial diplomatic and military support to Russia. Iran has consistently opposed United Nations resolutions condemning Russia and has supplied loitering munitions, including the Shahed 131 and Shahed 136 drones, to the Russian military.

Multiple countries have accused Iran of violating United Nations Security Council Resolution 2231, which oversees the Iranian nuclear program and aims to lift U.N. sanctions. The presence of IRGC personnel in Crimea, operating drones against Ukrainian cities, is only helping Iran become more permanently blacklisted than ever before.