TEHRAN -- Iran’s parliament on Wednesday approved a 20-year strategic partnership pact with Russia that was reached at the start of this year, Tasnim news agency reported. 
“In a public session, representatives agreed with a majority vote to urgently review this bill, and the bill was placed on the parliament’s agenda for today,” it said.
“After hearing the opinions of those in favor and those opposed, the representatives approved the general outline of the bill with 191 votes in favor, eight votes against, and two abstentions,” the agency said. 
The Comprehensive Strategic Partnership agreement was signed in January in a ceremony held by Russian President Vladimir Putin and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian. 
Last month, the Russian Duma ratified the deal, which was set for 20 years with the possibility of a subsequent five-year extension.
The pact aims to deepen bilateral ties, particularly in defense cooperation. It also includes enhancing finance, energy, and trade cooperation.
While it stops short of a mutual defense clause, it commits both countries to joint action against shared military threats, enhanced military-technical collaboration, and joint exercises.
“In order to enhance national security and confront common threats, the intelligence and security agencies of the Contracting Parties shall exchange information and experience and increase the level of their cooperation,” the agreement states, adding that the “Contracting Parties shall consult and cooperate in countering common military and security threats of a bilateral and regional nature.”
Iran and Russia have stepped up defense ties in recent years. The ratification comes as Iran continues to face sanctions and the threat of a U.S.-Israeli attack on its atomic energy program – despite nuclear talks between Tehran and Washington. 
Russia and Iran have been targeted by harsh U.S. economic sanctions in recent years.
For Tehran, the pact offers a strategic hedge as nuclear talks with the U.S. falter over uranium enrichment. For Moscow, it secures a critical partner in West Asia amid its ongoing war in Ukraine and growing isolation from the West. The timing also underscores a broader geopolitical realignment, as Iran and Russia seek to challenge U.S. influence by building alternative defense and economic frameworks.
The agreement aims to circumvent Western financial systems by linking national payment infrastructures, with over 95 percent of bilateral trade conducted in rubles and rials. 
A separate free trade deal between Iran and the Russia-led Eurasian Economic Union came into effect last week, reducing tariffs and boosting trade. Russia has also committed to assisting Iran in developing its nuclear energy sector, including the construction of additional nuclear power units.

President Putin has said, “This truly breakthrough document is aimed at creating the necessary conditions for the stable and sustainable development of Russia and Iran and our entire Eurasian region.”
According to President Pezeshkian, “this marks an important new chapter for our countries”.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has said the nature of this treaty is primarily economic and it encompasses all economic areas such as trade and tourism, transportation and energy.