Many in Iran view Russia as a key partner for ensuring their economic survival. Russia can help Iran withstand sanctions, meet domestic food needs, and rebuild its energy sector.
Samyar Rostami
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In 2026, the two sides’ relations are more dynamic, and high-level meetings continue. Russia condemned the US and Israel invasion against Iran in February 2026 and, through a statement, called these attacks illegitimate.
President Putin was the first leader to offer condolences on the martyrdom of the Supreme Leader of Iran and congratulated the leadership of Ayatollah Seyyed Mujtaba Khamenei.
Just as Russia intends to maintain its strategic relations, Iran also considers relations with Russia a “strategic partnership at the highest level”
Also, the previous message of the Iranian leader to Putin, high-level consultations between the two countries; holding more than 12 rounds of talks between the two foreign ministers; three telephone conversations between the presidents of the two countries; humanitarian aid of over 400 tons of goods to Iran; coordination in political positions between the two countries in international forums; and the veto of the draft American resolution are an important part of the strategic relations between the two countries in the new circumstances.
In this regard, on the first visit of Iranian officials to Russia since the last US and Israeli attacks on April 27, 2026, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi went to St. Petersburg to coordinate with his partner.
Araghchi thanked the Russian president for his recent messages and said that in our view, Iran-Russia relations are a strategic partnership that will continue with greater strength and scope.
These talks and meetings are taking place at a time when the ceasefire brokered by Pakistan has been fraught with tension since April 8 due to disputes over the Strait of Hormuz and the blockade of Iranian ports by the US, and the Iran-US negotiations are increasingly challenging.
As Moscow stood by Iran and used the veto tool to prevent the adoption of resolutions that could affect Iran’s interests, Tehran is also grateful for Russia’s strong stance in supporting Iran.
In addition to Russia’s ability to act and its presence in Iran’s neighborhood, the need for active diplomacy and high-level consultations, the exchange of views on regional and international developments, and the prospects for direct cooperation have increased Tehran’s need for greater coordination in positions with the Kremlin.
It seems that Iran-Russia cooperation has also entered a phase with newer dimensions.
The alignment of the two countries in many global trends, such as the construction of a multipolar world or partnership in structures such as BRICS, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, or the Eurasian Economic Union, highlights the importance of Tehran’s greater attention to relations.
In another dimension, the strength of Iran’s response, and Russia’s sensitivity to preventing the spread of conflict against Iran can be analyzed within the framework of this approach.
On the nuclear issue, Russia has made several proposals to resolve the disputes over Iran’s nuclear program and is ready to mediate.
While Moscow has repeatedly offered to maintain Iran’s highly enriched uranium reserves, and has confirmed its readiness to facilitate its transfer, it seems that if Tehran concludes that the export of enriched uranium is necessary as part of an agreement with the United States, the transfer to Russia is the main priority.
Security and defense area
Although the 2025 agreement is not a mutual defense pact and does not create a commitment to direct military assistance, there are developments and reports of extensive information exchange arrangements, direct transfers of military systems, or formalization of cooperation frameworks. In fact, Tehran’s willingness to engage in military-security-intelligence cooperation with Russia has increased compared to the past.
In the meantime, more cooperation can be expected in areas such as hardware and components, reverse engineering of systems, reconstruction of Iran’s war-weakened military-technical base, training, exchange of expertise.
Despite the strengthening of relations between some of the Arab GCC states and Ukraine, it appears that Tehran and Moscow’s cooperation in eliminating Ukraine’s negative presence in the Persian Gulf states is a win-win.
Economy and Energy
The trade turnover of Iran and Russia in the first 11 months of 2025 reached 4.8 billion dollars (13.1% increase). The long-term goal of the two sides is to reach 10-30 billion dollars of annual trade.
In the economic sphere, sanctions, as a structural factor, can play an important role in strengthening and deepening cooperation.
Both Iran and Russia are under the pressure of heavy sanctions. The war against Iran has affected the national and global economic order and has affected many equations at the regional and trans-regional levels in the energy market.
From Tehran’s perspective, continuous and serious consultations between the two countries to manage these conditions and develop cooperation in various fields have increased opportunities for cooperation between the two countries, and strengthened trade and energy routes.
Tehran has a positive view of strengthening Iran-Russia trade in terms of quality and quantity and much broader cooperation in the North-South Corridor (INSTC).
From the perspective of many in Iran, Russia can be a helpful and important player in Iran’s “economic survival”; “resilience” against sanctions and economic pressures; meeting Iran’s food and domestic needs; and rebuilding Iran’s damaged energy sectors.
As one of Iran’s most important strategic partners, Russia can help Iran’s economy in the post-war days and rebuild damaged sectors. Existing financial frameworks in Eurasia, such as the Eurasian Development Bank and agreements on the use of national currencies in transactions between members, the use of national currencies, and the exchange of goods and services, can also receive more attention in this direction.
Soft Power and Public Opinion
Strengthening Russia’s image and soft power among the Iranian people and political movements is important. Although in Iranian public opinion, expectations of the level of cooperation with Russia are higher than the existing realities, from the perspective of many in Iranian political movements, Moscow’s more active role is clearer than in the 12-day war. In other words, the totality of Russia’s actions and positions towards Iran have had a positive impact on public opinion inside Iran to some extent.
Outlook
The outlook of cooperation between Russia and Iran depends on domestic and international factors, sanctions management, maintaining continuous cooperation, adapting to the environment, overcoming infrastructure obstacles, and adapting to developments in world crises.
Neither Tehran nor Moscow is expecting unrealistic events or developments outside the framework of national interests. However, it seems that Iran-Russia relations as a strategic partnership at the highest level will become stronger day by day.
Just as Russia intends to maintain its strategic relations, Iran also considers relations with Russia as “a strategic partnership at the highest level,” and regardless of anything that happens, Iran-Russia relations will continue to strengthen.
Samyar Rostami, а political observer and senior researcher in international relations
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