Iran showed Putin the “bullshit”: refusal to recognize Crimea and other temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine as “Russian” in the “strategic partnership agreement”

On January 17, 2025, Vladimir Putin and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian are going to sign in Moscow “Comprehensive Partnership Agreement”which will become the basis of bilateral relations for the next 20 years.

However, in this document, which includes 47 articles on cooperation, Tehran refused to recognize the temporarily occupied Crimea, Donetsk and Lugansk regions of Ukraine as “part of Russia”.

About this January 14, 2024 reports Middle East Eye.

This position of Tehran is explained not by principles, but by its own geopolitical interests. For Iran, issues of territorial integrity are critical due to a dispute with the United Arab Emirates over three islands in the Persian Gulf that have been under Tehran's control since 1971.

For Putin, this is a serious diplomatic blow, showing that even his closest allies are not ready to support Russia in everything.

What's in the agreement

One of the key provisions of the treaty is the territorial integrity clause, which is especially important for Iran in the context of its dispute with the United Arab Emirates over three islands in the Persian Gulf that have been under Tehran's control since 1971.

The agreement includes 47 articles covering various areas of cooperation: technology and cybersecurity; peaceful nuclear energy; fight against terrorism and organized crime; environmental issues; fight against money laundering. The document also addresses defense issues, including the training of military specialists and the implementation of joint initiatives. However, specific details of such projects will require further approval, a source in the Iranian government noted.

A separate clause prohibits both sides from: supporting aggressors against each other; allow their territory to be used to attack the other side.

Iran and Russia agreed to jointly resist “illegal extraterritorial sanctions,” including secondary US sanctions, and also support each other on international platforms. However, an Iranian foreign policy analyst in a conversation with MEE pointed out possible difficulties with this point if the UN Security Council, of which Russia is a member, reinstates sanctions against Iran. This could happen if European countries decide to renew restrictions under the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA – the 2015 nuclear agreement between Iran and world powers) before October 2025, when the provision expires.

A senior Iranian official told Middle East Eye that the draft treaty was finalized after “20 to 30 rounds of negotiations” that lasted “four to five years.” The document requires approval by the Iranian Parliament.

How does Iran protect its interests?

Iran uses its geopolitical conflicts to advance its own positions. Despite its support for terrorism and conflicts in the region, Tehran demonstrates a tough position on territorial issues, emphasizing its commitment to international law.

Since 1971, Iran has controlled three islands in the Persian Gulf – Big and Small Tomb And Abu Musa– which the UAE claims. This topic remains one of the main sore points in relations between countries. It is important for Tehran to defend its territorial integrity in order to avoid pressure from Arab countries.

How will this affect Russia and Putin?

For Putin, Iran's refusal to recognize Crimea and other annexed territories was a serious blow. Even Moscow’s allies are not ready to openly support its territorial claims.

Why is this important:

1. Loss of international legitimacy. Iran's refusal shows that Russia remains isolated even among its partners.
2. Political weakness. The Kremlin is losing its ability to influence key allies, undermining its ambitions in international politics.
3. Threat of sanctions. If Russia supports Iran in its disputes with the UAE, this could increase pressure on the Kremlin from countries in the Middle East.

For Ukraine and Israel

For Ukraine:

Iran's refusal to recognize the annexation of Crimea and other territories is a signal that even Moscow's closest partners are not ready to ignore international law. This precedent strengthens Kyiv’s position in the diplomatic arena and confirms that the territorial integrity of Ukraine remains an important issue for the international community.

For Israel:

For Israel, Iran's actions have always been ambivalent. On the one hand, Tehran supports terrorist groups such as Hezbollah, on the other, its refusal to recognize the annexation of Crimea shows that Iran knows how to act in its own interests without putting relations with key international players at stake.

Table: Political interests of Iran in the agreement with Russia

Conclusion

Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir Abdollahian earlier in an interview with the Turkish TV channel TRT World statedthat Tehran does not recognize Crimea, as well as the Donetsk and Lugansk regions, as “part of Russia.”

“We stand for respect for international law and the territorial integrity of all countries. Despite good relations between Tehran and Moscow, Iran does not recognize the annexation of Crimea and other territories of Ukraine,” the minister noted.

“Iran condemns wars and military conflicts, including events in Iraq, Syria, Yemen, Palestine and Afghanistan,” Abdollahian added: “In the same way, we oppose the war and displacement of people in Ukraine.”

Iran continues to use international crises to advance its own interests. His refusal to recognize the annexation of Crimea in the agreement with Russia is not due to a commitment to justice, but to the desire to protect his own territorial ambitions.

For Putin, this is a serious diplomatic blow, showing that even his closest allies are not ready to support Russia in everything.

Our website NAnews – Israel News continues to monitor events that show how the balance of power in the international arena is changing.

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