On the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) meeting in Kazakhstan, China and Iran’s defence ministers struck a deal for closer military cooperation. This move suggests a strengthening alliance between the two nations.
Iran’s Brigadier General, Mohammed-Reza Astiani, emphasized the need for “improved cooperation and rapprochement” to tackle regional and international security challenges. These comments came after his discussions with China’s Admiral Dong Jun in Astana.
Facing international isolation due to its nuclear program and support for militant groups, Iran has been actively forging new partnerships. Joining the SCO in July 2023 and the BRICS group (Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa) earlier this year are key examples.
China, meanwhile, has become a crucial economic lifeline for Iran, acting as its primary oil customer and signing a comprehensive 25-year cooperation agreement in 2021. This deepening defence cooperation signifies a potentially significant shift in the regional security landscape.pen_sparktunesharemore_vert
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