Russian President Vladimir Putin announced plans on Friday to build a gas pipeline to Iran aimed at eventually transporting up to 55 billion cubic metres (bcm) per year to the West Asian country.

U.S. President Donald Trump faces a challenge with a more united group of adversaries, including China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea, who have grown closer since Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Despite Trump's efforts to curb their influence,

Iran and Russia signed a 20-year strategic partnership treaty. It outlines significant economic and military cooperation.

Their treaty may be a case of "form over substance," and its timing — after Assad's fall and before Trump's return — is key.

Russian President Vladimir Putin is hosting his Iranian counterpart President Masoud Pezeshkian for the signing of a broad partnership pact

The agreement is focused more on trade than military issues, but it will bring two countries with a shared desire to challenge the West closer together.

Russia and Iran plan to sign a new 20-year treaty, and it is missing a key element in its territorial integrity clause: Crimea.

Russian and Iranian officials say the "comprehensive strategic partnership treaty" covers all areas -— from trade and military cooperation to science, education and culture.

Russian President Vladimir Putin began talks with his Iranian counterpart, Masoud Pezeshkian, at a summit on Friday to sign a new pact, as the two countries brace for the return of US President-elect Donald Trump to the White House.

Vladimir Putin and Masoud Pezeshkian signed an agreement in Moscow for a strategic partnership covering trade, military cooperation, and culture. On Friday in Moscow, a comprehensive strategic partnership agreement between Russia and Iran was signed.

For Moscow, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian's visit to Russia on Jan. 17 is a diplomatic victory. The trip's centerpiece will be the finalization of a long-heralded partnership deal between Russia and Iran,