Iran’s foreign minister said that Russia and China are providing Tehran with military assistance as part of a broader strategic partnership amid ongoing tensions with the United States and Israel.
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According to Politico on March 15, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi confirmed in an interview with the television channel MS NOW that Tehran maintains close cooperation with both Moscow and Beijing across several areas, including military support.
“In the past we had close cooperation, which continues to this day, and this also includes military assistance,” Araghchi said.
He added that Iran maintains wide-ranging relations with both countries. “We had good cooperation with these countries—politically, economically, even militarily.”
According to Politico, Araghchi described Russia and China as strategic partners for Tehran as tensions continue between Iran, the United States, and Israel. His remarks come as geopolitical friction in the Middle East remains high following the escalation involving Iran and Western-backed regional actors.
US President Donald Trump has suggested that Russian leader Vladimir Putin could be assisting Iran as a response to Washington’s military and financial support for Ukraine.
Araghchi also addressed the situation in the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most critical routes for global energy shipments. According to Politico, the Iranian minister said Tehran has imposed selective restrictions on vessels belonging to countries it considers hostile.
“The strait is not closed. It is closed only to American and Israeli ships and tankers, not to others,” he said.
The Strait of Hormuz is a key maritime corridor for global oil exports. Rising tensions in the region have already pushed oil prices above $100 per barrel.
According to Politico, ties between Tehran and Moscow have strengthened over the past decade, particularly in the defense sector. Iran has supplied Russia with Shahed drones that Moscow has used during its war against Ukraine.
Iran has also expanded economic cooperation with Asia. In 2021, Tehran signed a 25-year strategic agreement with China that includes long-term oil supply arrangements.
Earlier, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Russia had transferred drones and intelligence to Iran that were later used in attacks on US military facilities in the Middle East. Zelenskyy stated that Moscow supplied drones produced under Iranian licenses and that Ukrainian intelligence had identified Russian-made components in some UAVs used in regional strikes.
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