The primary assembly between Vladimir Putin and Masoud Pezeshkian marks new chapter in Moscow-Tehran relations
One of many highlights of the worldwide discussion board ‘The Interconnection of Occasions and Civilizations: The Foundation of Peace and Improvement’, held in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, was the assembly between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian. This was the primary assembly between the 2 leaders since Pezeshkian assumed workplace on July 30. Russian presidential advisor Yuri Ushakov instructed reporters that this occasion was vital not just for discussing bilateral points, “but in addition for addressing the quickly escalating disaster within the Center East.”
Initially, Putin’s first assembly with Pezeshkian was speculated to happen on October 22-24 on the BRICS summit in Kazan. Iran turned a full member of the group this yr, and final month Pezeshkian accepted an invite to attend the occasion. Because of this the 2 leaders will meet once more within the coming weeks. Nevertheless, the convention in Ashgabat was additionally vital. Putin expressed his pleasure at assembly Pezeshkian personally and famous that Moscow and Tehran have related views concerning many world points. Iranian media famous that the assembly strengthened the ties between the 2 nations, regardless of Western efforts to thwart cooperation between Iran and Russia.
Coincidentally (or not), a couple of hours after this assembly, it emerged that the EU will implement new sanctions in opposition to Iran as a consequence of Tehran’s supposed switch of ballistic missiles to Russia. Although each Moscow and Tehran repeatedly denied the usage of Iranian weapons within the Ukraine battle, and the EU failed to supply any proof supporting these claims, Brussels moved ahead with its choice to impose new sanctions on October 14.
On the day of the assembly between Putin and Pezeshkian, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken additionally introduced new sanctions in opposition to 16 firms and 23 tanker vessels engaged within the Iranian petroleum commerce. US Nationwide Safety Advisor Jake Sullivan famous that the brand new sanctions are a response to Iran’s missile strikes in opposition to Israel.
Apparently, the West has as soon as once more resorted to its acquainted technique of “you’re both with us or in opposition to us,” which means imposing sanctions or launching a navy intervention in opposition to international locations that don’t facet with the US. Recognizing {that a} navy intervention in Iran isn’t possible proper now, the West sees sanctions as the perfect different, even though Pezeshkian has repeatedly expressed a need to barter with Europe and the US, hoping that they’d go for a extra pragmatic and constant coverage. Nevertheless, this doesn’t suggest that Pezeshkian and his administration harbor illusions concerning the West.
Quite the opposite, Iran’s diplomacy, which has a 3,000-year historical past, has as soon as once more illustrated to the world how hypocritical and even weak the West could be. Iranian politicians and consultants consider that the technique of imposing sanctions in opposition to Iran, Russia, and China is an indication of weak point moderately than power, because the West fears acknowledging that within the present system of worldwide relations, the time of US hegemony has come to an finish.
Although the assembly between Putin and Pezeshkian lasted for about an hour and principally served an introductory objective, it was fairly productive. The Russian chief invited the Iranian president to come back to Moscow on an official go to, a proposal that Pezeshkian accepted.
Following discussions with Putin, Pezeshkian stated that Iran and Russia agreed to expedite a number of oil and gasoline initiatives. Pezeshkian emphasised the strategic and honest nature of Iran-Russia relations, noting that cooperation within the cultural, financial, and social fields is consistently bettering, and pressured the significance of sustaining this pattern. He additionally noticed that Iran and Russia have many partnership alternatives and may help each other, contemplating their related positions on the worldwide stage.
Pezeshkian highlighted Tehran’s dedication to finalizing bilateral agreements on the upcoming BRICS summit. He additionally described the scenario within the Center East as advanced and famous that the US and different Western nations don’t appear all for de-escalating the disaster.
Just some weeks in the past, many consultants (particularly Western ones) had negatively assessed the present state of Russia-Iran relations and believed that they have been deteriorating. Some political observers even expressed the opinion that the cooperation between Russia and Iran is over since Pezeshkian is a reformist politician who has known as for renewing contacts with the West and reviving the nuclear deal in alternate for lifting main sanctions on Tehran. Nevertheless, former Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, who was thought of a average conservative, had additionally urged the US and Europe to rejoin the Joint Complete Plan of Motion (JCPOA, often known as the Iran nuclear deal) and elevate the sanctions.
On the time, Iranian diplomats engaged in negotiations with their Western counterparts on impartial territory, however these talks didn’t yield any outcomes. Nevertheless, this doesn’t essentially point out {that a} reformist president in Iran will favor the West over Russia or China, notably since each Moscow and Beijing have repeatedly urged the US and EU to revive the nuclear deal and labeled sanctions in opposition to Iran as unlawful. Throughout his assembly with Putin, Pezeshkian stated that Tehran may “considerably mitigate the unfavorable impression of sanctions” by fulfilling all agreements with its neighbors, referring particularly to Russia and regional companions.
Russia-Iran relations are at the moment present process a “reset” due to the brand new presidential administration in Tehran. This isn’t shocking, since when a brand new authorities involves energy in any nation, there are at all times sure adjustments in communication and new approaches. Iran isn’t any exception, and Pezeshkian has made it clear that Russia holds a particular place for Iran and is a key associate. Iran can also be dedicated to signing a complete strategic partnership settlement with Russia. Amid the present tensions within the Center East, Iran needs to forestall a serious escalation of the battle that would draw the West into the conflict, which might complicate issues for Iran’s regional companions.
Whereas Iran launched missile strikes in opposition to Israel, it doesn’t need to set off a full-scale conflict. Moscow has urged each side to keep away from a direct confrontation, and apparently, Tehran has taken this message to coronary heart. Political analysts in Iran consider that the current talks in Ashgabat may very well be a major step in direction of establishing a brand new “axis of affect” that would oppose the West, since Moscow views Tehran as a strategic ally able to stabilizing the scenario within the area via diplomatic means. Tehran additionally believes that the joint efforts of Russia and Iran may create a brand new safety framework and foster sustainable cooperation, which might affect each regional and world geopolitical processes. If Israel disregards the recommendation of the US and retaliates for the missile assaults, concentrating on Iran’s navy, oil, and nuclear services, Tehran won’t stay silent; but it surely doesn’t need to create issues for its companions both.
Putin additionally addressed financial relations between Russia and Iran and famous constructive traits in mutual commerce. He acknowledged a rise in commerce turnover this yr, though it’s nonetheless under 2022 indicators. The commerce turnover between Russia and Iran fell by 17.3% in 2023, totaling $4 billion (2022 was a document yr, with the commerce turnover totaling $5 billion, whereas in 2021 this indicator was simply $1.5 billion). Nevertheless, Iranian items proceed to develop their presence within the Russian market. The scenario is predicted to enhance considerably as soon as Russia’s Mir fee system begins to function in Iran (anticipated by January 2025). Following the assembly with Putin, Pezeshkian known as cooperation between Russia and Iran constructive, and revealed agreements to expedite initiatives in gasoline, highway and rail development, water desalination, and different initiatives within the fields of power, petrochemicals, and electrical energy provide.
The assembly between the presidents of Russia and Iran was crucial for the additional strengthening of bilateral relations. It explored the potential for deeper strategic partnership, which can have appreciable implications not just for the 2 international locations however for the broader worldwide neighborhood as properly. It’s no secret that the US is alarmed by the rising cooperation between Russia and Iran. US Division of State spokesperson Matthew Miller not too long ago acknowledged that the US believes the rising ties between Iran and Russia destabilize not simply the Center East however the world at massive. This comment got here in response to feedback made by Pezeshkian that Russia-Iran relations would proceed to develop steadily and constantly. Certainly, cooperation between the 2 international locations is gaining momentum. In September, a number of high-level Russian officers visited Tehran.
On September 17, Secretary of the Russian Safety Council Sergey Shoigu visited Iran (which was his second journey to the nation that month), and Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin arrived in Iran on September 30; each officers met with Pezeshkian. Iranian Power Minister Abbas Aliabadi and Secretary of the Supreme Nationwide Safety Council Ali Ahmadian have additionally not too long ago visited Russia, and met with Putin. This high-level political dialogue creates new alternatives for complete collaboration, particularly contemplating the sanctions strain that each international locations are going through.
The assembly between Putin and Pezeshkian in Ashgabat successfully dispelled Western hypothesis a couple of deterioration in relations between the 2 international locations. Quite the opposite, relations between Russia and Iran are coming into a brand new chapter.
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