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Russia and Iran: tactical alignment or strategic alliance?

The growing alignment between Moscow and Tehran represents an extraordinary development in the history of their relations, which for centuries have been characterized by intense conflicts and profound rivalry. While it is reasonable to assume that Russia and Iran may grow even closer in the short term, the uncertain nature of their relationship means that their ties could still follow unexpected or unpredictable trajectories.

In recent years, relations between the Russian Federation and the Islamic Republic of Iran have deepened significantly, indicating an apparent shift from mere tactical alignment to a broader strategic convergence. Specifically, since the late 2010s, the two countries strengthened their economic and political ties, transforming mutual diplomatic support from sporadic to systematic. In this respect, the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 marked a significant qualitative leap in bilateral relations.

February 28, 2025 - Tiziano Marino - AnalysisIssue 1-2 2025Magazine

Photo: Gevorg Ghazaryan / Shutterstock

Since then, in fact, Russian-Iranian cooperation has expanded in key areas such as defence, technology transfer and nuclear energy, as well as in international relations, which have been strengthened through collaboration in multilateral forums such as the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) and BRICS Plus. In addition, a free trade agreement between Tehran and the Russian-led Eurasian Economic Union (EEU) has been formalized, highlighting a shared commitment to boosting trade, particularly in response to the pressures of international sanctions.  

However, this process of progressive alignment was not driven by the evolution of respective national strategies. Rather, it was imposed by the changing international landscape, the increasing isolation of both countries and the changes that occurred within their respective institutional structures. This last aspect has been particularly evident in Iran, where traditionally more sceptical factions towards Russia have been largely sidelined. As a result, several issues remain on which Tehran and Moscow continue to hold differing views, despite the prevailing tendency within their diplomatic and military spheres to avoid clashes at this delicate juncture characterized by strong confrontation. 

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