The agreement is focused more on trade than military issues, but it will bring two countries with a shared desire to challenge the West closer together.

The presidents of Russia and Iran have held talks in the Kremlin before the signing of a broad cooperation pact to deepen their partnership amid stinging Western sanctions.

The presidents of Russia and Iran opened their talks in the Kremlin on Friday before signing a broad cooperation pact. The Kremlin said that the “comprehensive strategic partnership treaty” to be signed by Russian President Vladimir Putin and his Iranian counterpart Masoud Pezeshkian covers all areas – from trade and military cooperation to science,