Iran, Belarus boost defense cooperation: Iranian MoD
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Iran and Belarus are strengthening defense and industrial ties, with both sides emphasizing joint projects, shared interests, and deeper cooperation under regional alliances like the SCO.
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Iran Defense Minister Aziz Nasirzadeh attends the Defense Ministers' Meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization Member States in Qingdao in eastern China's Shandong province on June 26, 2025. (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan)
Iranian Defense Minister Brigadier General Aziz Nasirzadeh reaffirmed Tehran’s support for expanding defense and industrial cooperation with friendly and independent nations, including Belarus.
Nasirzadeh made the remarks during a Thursday meeting in Tehran with Dmitry Pantus, Chairman of Belarus’s State Military-Industrial Committee, who led a delegation to attend a session of the Iran-Belarus joint committee on military-technical cooperation. He praised the growing partnership between Tehran and Minsk, highlighting Belarus’s strategic position in Iran’s foreign policy.
Pantus commended Iran’s capabilities in industrial and technological fields and expressed Belarus’ interest in advancing cooperation in research and development, defense production, and industrial expertise exchange.
The two sides reviewed avenues to expand collaboration in the defense, technical, and industrial sectors, emphasizing the importance of deepening ties based on mutual interests. Both officials expressed alignment on many regional and international issues and voiced readiness to draft a roadmap for future cooperation.
They stressed the urgency of accelerating joint projects by leveraging the capacities of both nations and regional and international organizations such as the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO).
Iranian Army Chief Major General Abdolrahim Mousavi had received Belarusian Air Force Commander Major General Andrey Lukyanovich in Tehran in August. Mousavi noted that Tehran and Minsk face common threats and share strategic interests, particularly as both countries are subjected to Western sanctions, including those imposed by the United States.
Iran-Belarus sign 12 agreements
Earlier in August, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko reaffirmed their commitment to deepening Iran-Belarus ties during an official visit by the Iranian president to the Belarusian capital on August 20. Both leaders stressed their opposition to Western unilateralism and pledged to expand diplomatic relations across political, economic, and cultural spheres.
Pezeshkian denounced the United States and some European allies for attempting to impose their dictates on other nations.“Such an approach has not been and will not be tolerable by you and us,” he told Lukashenko during their meeting.
The Iranian president emphasized that cooperation with Belarus is key to overcoming sanctions. “Iran and Belarus believe they can stand up against the countries that seek to impose sanctions, and they can overcome challenges by working together seriously,” Pezeshkian said.
For his part, Lukashenko described Belarus as a “friendly and reliable partner” for Iran. He expressed confidence that bilateral cooperation could expand further and said Minsk was prepared to resolve any outstanding issues within an atmosphere of trust and dialogue.
The highlight of the visit was the signing of 12 memoranda of understanding. The agreements cover a wide range of sectors, including politics and international law, tourism and cultural exchange, arts and media collaboration, health and pharmaceuticals, industrial development, environmental protection, investment, and special economic zones.
