OR Russia is close to completing the necessary procedures to soon sign a new bilateral treaty with the Iranthe state-run TASS news agency reported, citing today’s statements by top security official Sergei Shoigu.

“We look forward to the imminent conclusion of a new basic interstate treaty. We are completing the internal procedures required to prepare the documents to be signed by the presidents,” said Mr Shoigu.

Russia has cultivated closer ties with Iran and other states hostile to the United States, such as North Korea, in the two and a half years since the war began in Ukraine.

The United States accuses both countries of aiding Russia’s war effort, which Moscow denies. The US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken said earlier today that Russia has received ballistic missiles from Iran and is likely to use them within the next few weeks.

A senior Iranian official today denied reports that the Tehran supplied Moscow with similar missiles.

Russia has said for some time that it intends to sign a major partnership treaty with the Islamic Republic, but Shoigu’s statement was the strongest indication yet that such a deal is imminent.