Closer Ties Between Russia and the Islamic Republic; Shoigu Announces Signing of New Bilateral Treaty Soon

As global pressures on the Islamic Republic increase following the shipment of ballistic missiles to Moscow, the Secretary of Russia's Security Council announced on Tuesday, September 20, the signing of a new bilateral treaty between the Islamic Republic and Russia in the near future. The state news agency TASS reported that Sergei Shoigu stated that Russia has 'almost' completed the necessary steps for signing a new bilateral treaty with the Islamic Republic, which will be signed by the presidents of both countries after 'internal procedures' and document preparation. Russia had announced a major cooperation treaty with the Islamic Republic just days after the death of Ebrahim Raisi in a helicopter crash. While the Islamic Republic insists on increasing its cooperation with Russia, Western leaders warn of the widespread consequences of missile cooperation between Tehran and Moscow, announcing further sanctions against Iran. On Tuesday, September 20, the U.S. Secretary of State stated that more sanctions would be imposed on the Iranian government, including sanctions on Iran Air. Britain, France, and Germany also condemned the Islamic Republic's ballistic missile exports to Russia and announced new sanctions against Iran Air and the suspension of air services to Iran. The United States first expressed concern on August 20 this year regarding reports of the Islamic Republic's 'planning' to deliver hundreds of ballistic missiles to Russia. The White House had previously emphasized in a statement following Reuters' revelations about the training of dozens of Russian military personnel in Iran for the use of the short-range ballistic missile system Fateh-360 that 'if the Islamic Republic continues to transfer weapons to Russia, we are prepared to respond swiftly.' These events and the Islamic Republic's insistence on increasing cooperation with Russia come as Moscow and the Gulf Cooperation Council claimed in a joint meeting on Monday that Iran's three islands belong to the UAE and the Arash gas field belongs to Kuwait, asserting that Iran has no rights or shares in these areas. The U.S. Treasury sanctioned 20 individuals, entities, and vessels in Iran and Russia. The Gulf Cooperation Council expressed concern about the Islamic Republic's nuclear program. The U.S., Britain, France, and Germany are sanctioning Iran Air. The U.S. stated that it would respond to the delivery of ballistic missiles from Iran to Russia with 'significant consequences.' The European Union stated that the shipment of ballistic missiles signifies a significant increase in the Islamic Republic's support for Russia's aggression against Ukraine. Kyiv warned Tehran that the shipment of ballistic missiles to Russia would have 'devastating consequences' and summoned the Islamic Republic's chargé d'affaires in Ukraine. Kyiv expressed concern about the Islamic Republic's ballistic missile shipments to Russia, threatening Ukraine, Europe, and the Middle East. Exclusive: The National Security Council of the White House stated that the shipment of missiles to Russia will have consequences for the Iranian government. The Wall Street Journal reported that the U.S. has informed its European allies that the Islamic Republic has provided ballistic missiles to Russia.