MOSCOW: Russia had reportedly developed a detailed strategy to strengthen economic, financial and strategic cooperation with Iran well before the recent escalation in tensions between the United States and Iran, according to a report citing a confidential Russian government document.
The document, described as a 44-page roadmap intended for official use, reportedly outlined plans for closer collaboration between Moscow and Tehran from 2024 to 2026. The strategy covered a wide range of sectors, including banking, trade, energy and nuclear cooperation, reflecting the growing partnership between the two countries amid increasing pressure from Western sanctions.
According to the report, the roadmap was approved by Russian authorities in September 2024 and assigned responsibilities to various government ministries, agencies and state-owned enterprises. The plan sought to deepen bilateral ties and reduce dependence on Western-controlled financial infrastructure, a long-standing goal shared by both nations.
One of the key proposals involved increasing the proportion of trade settled in Russian and Iranian national currencies. The roadmap reportedly aimed to raise the share of bilateral transactions conducted outside the US dollar and other major Western currencies by 2026. The plan also included expanding correspondent banking arrangements and developing alternative payment mechanisms to facilitate cross-border transactions.
In addition to financial cooperation, the roadmap reportedly outlined efforts to strengthen energy collaboration and pursue joint projects in strategic sectors. Nuclear cooperation was also identified as an area of interest, highlighting the broader scope of engagement envisioned by both governments.
Analysts note that Russia and Iran have increasingly moved closer in recent years as both countries face sanctions and diplomatic pressure from Western nations. Expanding economic and financial integration has become a shared objective aimed at reducing vulnerability to external restrictions.
While the document was reportedly prepared before the latest phase of US-Iran tensions, its contents have drawn renewed attention amid ongoing geopolitical uncertainty. Observers say the roadmap highlights the long-term strategic calculations shaping relations between Moscow and Tehran and demonstrates how both countries were planning deeper cooperation well before the current regional crisis emerged.