Russia and Iran will soon sign a "comprehensive" treaty that will include closer defence ties, the Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said on Thursday.
Military co-operation between the two countries is a source of deep concern to the West, as Russia wages war in Ukraine and Iran and Israel exchange missile and air strikes in the Middle East.
"The treaty on a comprehensive strategic partnership between Russia and Iran that is being prepared will become a serious factor in strengthening Russian-Iranian relations," Mr Lavrov told state television. He said the agreement was being prepared for signing "in the near future".
Russia has said it expects Iran's President Masoud Pezeshkian to visit Moscow before the end of the year. "It will confirm the parties' desire for closer co-operation in the field of defence and interaction in the interests of peace and security at the regional and global levels," Mr Lavrov said. He did not specify what form the defence ties would take.
Russia has deepened its ties with both Iran since the start of its full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Iran has supplied Russia with hundreds of Shahed and Mohajer-type drones.
President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un signed a similarly titled "comprehensive" treaty in June, including a mutual defence clause, and the US and Nato say Pyongyang has sent some 10,000 soldiers to Russia for possible deployment in the war. Russia has not denied their presence, and says it will implement the treaty as it sees fit.
In September, Iran's aviation sector was hit with more sanctions after Iran supplied ballistic missiles to Russia that US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said would be used against Ukraine “within weeks”. Mr Blinken said the weapons were transferred in spite of private and public warnings to Tehran that supplying missiles to Russia would constitute a “dramatic escalation”.
Iran’s transfer of what intelligence sources suggested were 400 short-range missiles, were most likely Fateh 360 weapons, with a range of 120km. Dozens of Russian personnel have been trained on their use in Iran, said Mr Blinken. The Kremlin declined to confirm its receipt of Iranian missiles but acknowledged that its co-operation with Iran included "the most sensitive areas".
France, Germany and the UK said they would restrict flights to and from Iran, with the three European states issuing a joint statement condemning Iran’s move as a “direct threat to European security”.
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Timeline
2012-2015
The company offers payments/bribes to win key contracts in the Middle East
May 2017
The UK SFO officially opens investigation into Petrofac’s use of agents, corruption, and potential bribery to secure contracts
September 2021
Petrofac pleads guilty to seven counts of failing to prevent bribery under the UK Bribery Act
October 2021
Court fines Petrofac £77 million for bribery. Former executive receives a two-year suspended sentence
December 2024
Petrofac enters into comprehensive restructuring to strengthen the financial position of the group
May 2025
The High Court of England and Wales approves the company’s restructuring plan
July 2025
The Court of Appeal issues a judgment challenging parts of the restructuring plan
August 2025
Petrofac issues a business update to execute the restructuring and confirms it will appeal the Court of Appeal decision
October 2025
Petrofac loses a major TenneT offshore wind contract worth €13 billion. Holding company files for administration in the UK. Petrofac delisted from the London Stock Exchange
November 2025
180 Petrofac employees laid off in the UAE
The bio:
Favourite film:
Declan: It was The Commitments but now it’s Bohemian Rhapsody.
Heidi: The Long Kiss Goodnight.
Favourite holiday destination:
Declan: Las Vegas but I also love getting home to Ireland and seeing everyone back home.
Heidi: Australia but my dream destination would be to go to Cuba.
Favourite pastime:
Declan: I love brunching and socializing. Just basically having the craic.
Heidi: Paddleboarding and swimming.
Personal motto:
Declan: Take chances.
Heidi: Live, love, laugh and have no regrets.
Fifa Club World Cup:
When: December 6-16
Where: Games to take place at Zayed Sports City in Abu Dhabi and Hazza bin Zayed Stadium in Al Ain
Defending champions: Real Madrid
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Advocate at Al Bahar & Associate Advocates and Legal Consultants, established in 1994
Education: Mr Al Bahar was born in 1979 and graduated in 2008 from the Judicial Institute. He took after his father, who was one of the first Emirati lawyers
What are the influencer academy modules?
- Mastery of audio-visual content creation.
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Bharatanatyam
A ancient classical dance from the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu. Intricate footwork and expressions are used to denote spiritual stories and ideas.
Bio
Born in Dibba, Sharjah in 1972.
He is the eldest among 11 brothers and sisters.
He was educated in Sharjah schools and is a graduate of UAE University in Al Ain.
He has written poetry for 30 years and has had work published in local newspapers.
He likes all kinds of adventure movies that relate to his work.
His dream is a safe and preserved environment for all humankind.
His favourite book is The Quran, and 'Maze of Innovation and Creativity', written by his brother.
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The President's Cake
Director: Hasan Hadi
Starring: Baneen Ahmad Nayyef, Waheed Thabet Khreibat, Sajad Mohamad Qasem
Rating: 4/5
