The leaders of Belarus and Iran signed new agreements Wednesday aimed at strengthening bilateral ties in key areas, including defense, according to both governments.

Presidents Alexander Lukashenko and Masoud Pezeshkian inked a package of 13 documents in Minsk, the Belarusian capital. Both nations face heavy international sanctions, limiting their trade partners. Pezeshkian said Iran would assist Belarus in “neutralizing” such measures, citing Tehran’s long experience navigating Western economic restrictions.

Lukashenko told Pezeshkian that Belarus is “ready to cooperate with you on all issues — from providing your country with food to military-technical cooperation,” describing the Iranian president as a “friend.” The two countries did not provide further details about defense cooperation. Other areas covered by the agreements include industry, tourism, and joint projects in science, technology, and education.

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Belarus’ wood processing and chemical industries, as well as potash fertilizers, could offer strategic benefits to Iran. The presidents also said they would work toward a strategic partnership treaty.

Lukashenko, a close ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin, has allowed Russian forces to use Belarusian territory for military operations in Ukraine, including the deployment of tactical nuclear missiles. Iran has supplied drones to Russia for use in the war, and Pezeshkian signed a strategic cooperation treaty with Putin in January, though it lacked a mutual defense clause.

The Iranian president’s visit to Minsk had been postponed several times due to U.S. strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities. Lukashenko condemned the attacks as “a serious threat to regional and international stability and security,” and expressed support for Iran’s “legitimate right to develop peaceful nuclear energy.”

Source: Agency