Russia and Iran have unveiled plans to sign a “comprehensive strategic partnership” treaty on Friday when Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian visits Moscow. The two nations dubbed ‘pariahs’ by much of the West have seen their cooperation and relations grow in the context of the Ukraine war. “On January 17, Vladimir Putin will hold talks with the President of the Islamic Republic of Iran Masoud Pezeshkian, who will come to Russia on an official visit,” the Kremlin announced Monday. The much anticipated treaty has long been in the works, since at least last summer, news of which caused President Zelensky to say there’s an axis of rogue states conspiring to defeat Ukraine. This has included North Korea as well, which has lost troops helping Moscow defend Kursk region. As for the treaty to be signed by the week’s close, it was previewed as heavily focused on defense and security cooperation. “It will confirm the parties’ desire for closer cooperation in the field of defense and interaction in the interests of peace and security at the regional and global levels,” Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov had earlier stated. Putin and Pezeshkian in addition to signing the agreement are expected to discuss “prospects for the further […]