WANA (Jan 11) – The ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Iran in Russia announced: “The comprehensive cooperation agreement between the two countries, comprising a preamble and 47 articles, covers all areas of bilateral relations. Its drafting paid special attention to balance, maintaining independence, and respecting territorial integrity.”

 

Historical Context and Agreement Renewal

Kazem Jalali, discussing the drafting and approval process of this agreement, stated: “Previously, Iran and Russia signed a comprehensive cooperation agreement, which was approved by the Iranian Parliament in 2001. This agreement was effectively valid for 20 years, ending in 2021.”

 

He continued: “The agreement included a provision for automatic five-year extensions unless either party raised objections before its expiration. Thus, the agreement has been extended until 2026.”

 

Jalali added: “However, the leaders of the two countries concluded that the current agreement is outdated and cannot adequately address today’s issues in bilateral relations. Over the past 24 years, our relations have expanded significantly. Therefore, it was decided to update the agreement based on mutual consent.”

 

Drafting the New Agreement

Jalali explained: “For drafting and updating the new agreement, it was agreed that the Islamic Republic of Iran would prepare the draft. We prepared the draft and shared it with the Russian side. The process took about two and a half to three years, during which multiple revisions and exchanges took place before finalizing the agreement.”

 

Key Provisions of the New Agreement

The Iranian ambassador in Russia noted: “The agreement addresses all aspects of bilateral relations, including political relations, strategies in international forums, and collaboration in economic sectors such as provincial cooperation and joint projects. Since both Iran and Russia possess energy resources, the agreement also anticipates collaboration in international trade and energy sectors.”

 

He added: “The agreement includes provisions on modern technologies, cybersecurity, peaceful nuclear energy, defense and military cooperation, combating terrorism, environmental issues, the Caspian Sea, anti-money laundering measures, and combating organized crime.”

 

Distinct Nature of the Iran-Russia Agreement

Jalali clarified that the agreement with Russia differs from its recent agreements with Belarus and North Korea, stating: “Those agreements define specific joint efforts in particular areas. However, Iran has not entered such specific partnerships.”

 

Emphasizing Iran’s independence and security, Jalali noted: “Independence is a significant principle for Iran, which has been upheld for 45 years despite its costs.”

 

Maintaining Balance in the Agreement

Regarding concerns about potential imbalances in the agreement due to historical experiences, Jalali reassured: “Today, the Islamic Republic of Iran is a recognized power, supported by strong legal experts. Unlike in the past, we are not in a position of weakness or defeat.”

 

He continued: “Today, Iran and Russia share many areas of convergence and are partners in various fields. Notably, the initial draft was prepared by Iran and submitted to Russia.”

 

Jalali stressed: “This agreement is not secret. Once signed, the government will submit it to Parliament for approval, just as it did with the previous agreement in 2001.”

 

Respect for Territorial Integrity

Responding to questions about respecting Iran’s territorial integrity, particularly concerning recent remarks by some Russian officials regarding the three Iranian islands in the Persian Gulf, Jalali emphasized: “Article 3 of the agreement explicitly includes respect for territorial integrity. We expect our partners and allies to honor this principle.”

 

Next Steps

The agreement, which includes 47 articles and a preamble, will be submitted to the Iranian Parliament for approval whenever deemed appropriate by the government.

 

Finally, the Iranian embassy in Russia announced that Dr. Massoud Pezeshkian, President of the Islamic Republic of Iran, will visit Moscow on January 18, 2025. During his visit, he will meet with President Vladimir Putin and other high-ranking officials to sign the comprehensive strategic cooperation agreement between the two countries.