Relationship dossier
Iran
Russia
Relationship assessment
Expanding strategic cooperation, without a formal alliance
Iran toward Russia
+45Iran has supplied military drones to Russia, which has used Iranian-designed drones in its war against Ukraine. The two governments have also coordinated in support of the Syrian government and cooperated on military and economic matters.
Russia toward Iran
+40Russia has cooperated with Iran on civilian nuclear energy, including construction at the Bushehr nuclear power plant, and has supported Iran diplomatically in nuclear negotiations. The governments have also coordinated on Syria and expanded military and economic cooperation.
Overall relationship
+45The relationship is a substantial strategic partnership shaped by military cooperation, coordination on Syria, nuclear-energy ties and diplomatic engagement. It is not a formal alliance, and the countries have had disagreements over regional and energy interests; Russia’s support for UN sanctions on Iran in 2010 illustrates limits to their alignment.
How to read these scores
Scores are rough judgments, not objective measurements or current verification. Directional scores describe government policy and conduct, not public opinion. The overall score is an independent estimate, never an average.
- −100
- Extreme sustained hostility
- −50
- Substantially adversarial
- 0
- Mixed or neutral, supported by knowledge
- +50
- Substantially cooperative
- +100
- Exceptionally close sustained partnership
“Not assessed” means there is no recorded score. Pair existence makes no claim about diplomatic recognition or established relations.
Relationship context
Overview
Iran and Russia have expanded military, diplomatic, nuclear-energy and economic cooperation, including coordination over Syria and Russian support for Iran’s nuclear programme. Iran has supplied military drones used by Russia in its war against Ukraine. Their relationship is not a formal alliance, and past disagreements and competition in energy markets temper the partnership.
Areas of tension
- Russia supported UN Security Council sanctions on Iran in 2010.
- Iran and Russia compete in energy markets and have differing interests over regional influence.
Key developments
Russia supported UN Security Council Resolution 1929, which imposed further sanctions on Iran.
Iran and Russia coordinated in support of the Syrian government during the Syrian civil war.
Iran supplied military drones to Russia for use in its war against Ukraine.
Russia and Iran cooperated on the Bushehr nuclear power plant and Iran’s civilian nuclear programme.
Major uncertainties
- The full scope and implementation of military and economic agreements are unclear.
- The extent of continuing coordination on Syria and other regional issues is uncertain.