Iranian and Belarusian presidents oversaw the signing of 12 cooperation agreements and a joint statement in Minsk on Wednesday, signaling strengthened bilateral ties.
Why it matters:
The agreements signal Tehran and Minsk’s determination to expand political and economic cooperation despite Western sanctions, reinforcing their shared stance on building partnerships outside Western-led structures.
The big picture:
Iran and Belarus’ cooperation spans economic, industrial, and political sectors, with both governments emphasizing multilateral platforms such as the Eurasian Economic Union and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization.
Key points:
12 agreements signed in areas including:
- Politics & international law
- Health & pharmaceuticals
- Industry, environment & free trade zones
- Tourism, culture, media & investment
- A joint statement was also signed by the two presidents.
What he’s saying:
Pezeshkian stressed that Iran and Belarus can overcome sanctions through cooperation, highlighting the importance of diversifying international partnerships.
State of play:
Pezeshkian received an official welcome ceremony at the Presidential Palace in Minsk on Wednesday.
On arrival Tuesday night, he laid a wreath at the Victory Square Memorial in honor of Belarusian soldiers.
The trip follows his official visit to Armenia, where he met with scholars, Iranian expatriates, and business leaders.
Finally news about Pezashkian that doesn’t cause my eyes to roll. Inceases cooperation with the global south is the only path of salvation for Iran. Holding out for western sanctions relief is a fools errand that the reformists need to give up on entirely (if they’re actually interested in Iranian sovereignty, however I’ve become increasingly paranoid that they aren’t).
I’d love to see Iran try and hold a diplomatic meeting with India, which is currently feeling snubbed by Washington.