Iran's parliament approves strategic partnership with Russia

Iran's parliament approved a 20-year strategic partnership with Russia on Wednesday, signaling a deepening of bilateral ties, including closer defense cooperation. The agreement, signed in January by the leaders of both nations, commits them to collaborate against military threats and enhance military-technical cooperation, including joint exercises. The pact also aims to boost economic partnership. This development follows a free trade deal between Iran and the Russian-led Eurasian Economic Union, and comes amid Western accusations of Iranian military support for Russia in the Ukraine war.