Lavrov Says Comprehensive Agreement with the Islamic Republic Includes Defense Cooperation

Amid growing global concerns about increased cooperation between countries like the Islamic Republic of Iran, Russia, and North Korea, Sergey Lavrov, the Russian Foreign Minister, stated that the comprehensive strategic agreement that Tehran and Moscow intend to sign includes closer defense cooperation between the two countries. The expansion of military relations between the Islamic Republic and Russia has raised deep concerns in the West, especially as Russia is currently engaged in a war in Ukraine, while the Islamic Republic and Israel are involved in air and missile attacks against each other. On Thursday, November 1, Lavrov told Russian state television that the comprehensive strategic agreement between Russia and the Islamic Republic, which is being prepared, will become a serious factor in strengthening relations between the two countries. He added that this agreement is expected to be ready for signing 'in the near future.' According to Moscow, it is anticipated that Masoud Pezeshkian, the head of the Islamic Republic's government, will travel to Moscow before the end of the current calendar year. Lavrov stated, 'This confirms the parties' desire for closer cooperation in the field of defense and interaction in line with the interests of peace and security at the regional and global levels.' He did not specify what aspects the defense relations would include. Since the military invasion of Ukraine, Russia has deepened its relations with the Islamic Republic and North Korea, both of which are strongly opposed to the United States. Vladimir Putin, the President of Russia, and Kim Jong-un, the leader of North Korea, signed a 'comprehensive' agreement with a similar title last summer, which includes a mutual defense clause. The United States and NATO claim that Pyongyang has sent about 10,000 soldiers for potential deployment in the war in Ukraine. Russia has not denied their presence and states that it will implement this agreement as it sees fit. The United States stated in September that the Iranian government sent long-range ballistic missiles to Russia for use in the war against Ukraine and imposed sanctions on ships and companies of the Islamic Republic that, according to Washington, are involved in the transfer of Iranian weapons. The Islamic Republic denies sending missiles or thousands of drones that Kyiv and Western officials say Russia uses against military targets and to destroy civilian infrastructure, including Ukraine's power grid. The Kremlin has also refrained from confirming the receipt of Iranian missiles but states that cooperation with the Islamic Republic includes 'sensitive matters.' Source: Reuters. The United States condemned North Korea's missile test. The United States and South Korea called for the withdrawal of North Korean forces from Russia. The United States sanctioned 400 individuals and entities for supporting Russia's invasion of Ukraine. The Pentagon stated that 'a few' North Korean military personnel have been deployed in the Kursk region of Russia. The U.S. Department of Defense reported that North Korea has sent 10,000 soldiers to Russia.