TEHRAN, May 21 -- Iran's parliament has officially approved a 20-year strategic partnership with Russia, marking a major step in deepening defence and economic ties between the two countries. The agreement, signed earlier in January, was confirmed by Russian lawmakers in April.

The pact, signed by Russian President Vladimir Putin and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian at the Kremlin, outlines plans for long-term cooperation in various sectors. While it does not include a mutual defence clause, it highlights military-technical collaboration and joint efforts against shared security threats.

Military cooperation between Tehran and Moscow has grown steadily since the Ukraine war began in 2022. Western nations have accused Iran of supplyin...