Anna Hartz
Belarus and Iran Move to Strengthen Ties in Politics and Defense
In recent years, countries around the world have faced growing pressure from sanctions and political conflicts.
Some nations are seeking new alliances to protect their interests and strengthen their influence. Belarus and Iran are taking steps in that direction.
No Off-Limit Topics
On Wednesday, the presidents of Belarus and Iran met in Minsk to discuss closer ties between their countries. They said they want to expand cooperation in all areas, including defense, according to Digi24.
Belarusian state media reported that Presidents Aleksandr Lukashenko and Masoud Pezeshkian agreed to work toward a strategic partnership treaty.
Lukashenko said both nations are trying to turn challenges into opportunities. He added that there are no off-limits topics in their talks. He mentioned that military and technical cooperation could be part of the partnership.
Belarus is a close ally of Russia. The country allowed Russian forces to use its territory for the invasion of Ukraine in 2022. It has also agreed to host Russian tactical nuclear missiles.
Iran has supported Russia by providing drones for use in the conflict. Pezeshkian, who signed a strategic cooperation agreement with Russian President Vladimir Putin in January, said the agreement does not include a mutual defense clause.
Strong Ties to Russia
Both Iran and Belarus face what Pezeshkian described as illegal sanctions from Western countries.
He said Iran is prepared to help Belarus “neutralize” such sanctions. He noted that Iran has over 40 years of experience dealing with international restrictions.
Pezeshkian emphasized that the two countries need to strengthen economic and other relations to match the high level of trust between them.
He suggested that cooperation could extend to culture, tourism, and trade. He also mentioned military and technical projects as areas for further collaboration.
The talks in Minsk signal that Belarus and Iran are moving closer politically and economically. Both nations are under pressure from international sanctions and are looking for ways to protect their interests.
Analysts say this partnership could have implications for regional security and global diplomacy.
The strategic treaty they aim to sign could solidify a new alliance between two countries that already share strong ties to Russia. It may also encourage further cooperation in technology, defense, and economic development.
Observers will be watching how this relationship develops and what it means for international politics in the coming months.
