Iran and Russia Deepen Alliance Amid US Tensions

NEWSWEEK -APRIL16th2025

Russia’s upper house of parliament ratified a sweeping 20-year strategic partnership agreement with Iran on Wednesday, deepening military and nuclear cooperation just as fears of conflict between Washington and Tehran intensify.

The Russian Federation Council confirmed the deal’s ratification following a session in Moscow, advancing a pact signed in January by Russian President Vladimir Putin and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian. The agreement paves the way for expanded defense coordination and signals Moscow’s backing for Tehran amid heightened tensions with the United States.

Newsweek reached out to the Kremlin and Iran’s foreign ministry for comment.

Why It Matters

The agreement comes as the U.S. and Iran are locked in nuclear negotiations brokered by Oman. President Donald Trump has revived his “maximum pressure” campaign and warned Iran must never obtain a nuclear weapon. With Iran refusing to end uranium enrichment and Washington hinting at military options, the ratified Russia-Iran deal may complicate U.S. decision-making in the region by raising the prospect of Russian involvement in any future conflict.

What To Know

According to the Federation Council’s statement, the agreement outlines long-term cooperation in areas including arms control, counterterrorism, peaceful nuclear energy, and security coordination at regional and global levels. It also includes a clause stipulating that the other will not aid the aggressor if either country is attacked.

Meanwhile, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that Russia is prepared to do “everything” to help resolve the standoff between the U.S. and Iran.

Message for Putin

Elsewhere, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi announced he will deliver a written message from Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei to Putin during an official visit to Moscow, saying the message would be conveyed during a scheduled meeting with the Russian leader, according to state media.

U.S. Hardline Shift

On Tuesday, U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff announced a hardline shift in policy, stating that any agreement with Iran must include the complete elimination of its uranium enrichment and weaponization programs. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt reinforced the stance, saying, “The maximum pressure campaign on Iran continues,” and emphasized that Trump has made clear Iran must never be allowed to obtain a nuclear weapon.

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