TEHRAN/MOSCOW -- From 19 to 23 October 2025, Moscow hosted the fifth International Research and Expert Forum, “Russia–the Middle East,” bringing together researchers and experts from Lebanon, Egypt, Libya, Syria, Jordan, the UAE, Kuwait, Turkiye, Iran, Iraq, and Russia. 
Among the many discussions, Iran emerged as a central focus, reflecting its significance in Moscow’s West Asia strategy. Russian researchers and academics emphasized Tehran’s importance to Russian leaders, repeatedly affirming that Iran represents a cornerstone of cooperation in the region. 
They highlighted that while the partnership is extensive in political and economic fields, the security and defense dimension remains carefully calibrated, given the regional balance Russia seeks to maintain.
Russia’s relationship with Iran is embedded in a comprehensive strategic partnership, formalized in January 2025. Russian officials, including President Vladimir Putin and Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, have described the agreement as a major achievement and a step toward elevating bilateral relations to a qualitatively new level. 
Analysts at the Moscow forum stressed that despite regional complexities and external pressures, the partnership continues to develop dynamically. 
Iran’s alignment with Russia extends across multiple domains: it is a member of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization and BRICS, participates in the North–South economic corridor connecting Russia to India, and is among the most anti-American actors in the region, making it a key strategic partner.
The forum highlighted that Russia views Iran as a partner with “no limits” in economic and political cooperation. Analysts noted that Moscow seeks to strengthen relations with Tehran, not only through high-level dialogues but also via initiatives that integrate Russian and Iranian economic, technological, and infrastructure projects.
 This includes energy cooperation, civilian nuclear projects, and broader trade and logistics arrangements, reflecting the depth and durability of the partnership.
At the same time, Russian researchers clarified that security and defense support is constrained by broader regional considerations. Moscow’s involvement in conflicts such as the June 12-day Israeli–Iran war was limited to rhetorical calls for restraint, offers to mediate, and public warnings about instability; no tangible military support was provided. 
Analysts explained that Russia is cautious about actions that could escalate tensions with Israel or the United States, illustrating the careful balance Moscow seeks while maintaining its strategic alliance with Iran. Nevertheless, they emphasized that this does not diminish Iran’s central role in Russia’s regional calculations.
Iran’s importance to Russia is further reinforced by its role in regional networks and strategic corridors. Analysts at the forum pointed out that the North–South corridor and Iran’s position in regional multilateral organizations enable Moscow to engage indirectly with broader West Asian dynamics. 
Through its partnership with Iran, Russia sustains high-level contacts with multiple actors in the region, including Persian Gulf states, Turkiye, and Syria, while preserving avenues for dialogue and cooperation.
The forum also reflected a consensus that Iran is distinct among Moscow’s West Asian partners. While Russia’s role in the region overall has declined, particularly in Syria and other arenas where its influence has been reduced, Iran remains a reliable strategic partner. 
Researchers noted that Russia no longer seeks to manage regional balances as it did in the past; instead, Tehran provides a stable axis through which Moscow maintains presence and influence. 
Russian analysts described the Iran–Russia relationship as a cornerstone for broader regional engagement, emphasizing that the partnership supports both political and economic objectives while mitigating the risks of deep military involvement elsewhere.
In sum, the Moscow forum underscored that Iran occupies a unique and central place in Russia’s West Asia strategy. Analysts consistently portrayed Tehran as the principal partner through which Moscow pursues economic, political, and strategic goals. 
The partnership encompasses multilateral engagement, infrastructure and energy cooperation, and high-level dialogue, forming the backbone of Russia’s presence in the region. 
As discussions at the forum made clear, Russia’s strategic relationship with Iran remains robust and multifaceted, providing Moscow with a durable platform for influence in West Asia even as its broader regional footprint has contracted.