Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and Russian President Vladimir Putin are expected to meet next week on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit in Bishkek, as Tehran and Moscow deepen their strategic partnership through a major $25‑billion nuclear cooperation agreement.
Iran’s Ambassador to Russia, Kazem Jalali, told Mehr News (via CNN) that the two sides have signed a $25‑billion memorandum of understanding to construct new nuclear power plants, including one planned near the Persian Gulf. The deal marks a significant expansion of nuclear collaboration between the two countries at a time of heightened tensions with the United States and its allies.
Jalali emphasised that the Russia–Iran agreement is separate from a memorandum signed between Iran and the US in June, signalling Tehran’s intent to diversify its nuclear partnerships despite geopolitical pressure. The upcoming Pezeshkian–Putin meeting is expected to cover bilateral ties, nuclear cooperation, and broader regional developments across West Asia and Eurasia.
The SCO summit itself will bring together leaders from China, Russia, India, Iran, Pakistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, and Belarus. The organisation serves as a platform for discussions on regional security, political coordination, trade, and economic integration. With multiple conflicts and diplomatic standoffs unfolding across the region, this year’s summit is seen as a crucial venue for strategic dialogue.
The Pezeshkian–Putin meeting underscores the growing alignment between Tehran and Moscow, driven by shared geopolitical interests and expanding energy cooperation.