Russia, Iran and the West
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With both the Iranian regime and Russia being hit by further sanctions from the West, particularly the US, the two have become militarily, politically and economically closer than ever before.
One of the common interests between Moscow and Tehran is a desire to counterbalance and even scuttle European and US foreign policy, particularly at these critical times.
Militarily, the Iranian regime continues to provide Russia with drones. Although there have been some reports that Iranian drones have been failing, the Wall Street Journal last month confirmed that “Russia has inflicted serious damage on Ukrainian forces with recently introduced Iranian drones.” This is due to the fact that the Iranian drones have proved very difficult to shoot down.
Russia is tilting more toward Tehran as a result of these drones. Russia’s employment of Iranian drones has caused the deaths of many Ukrainians. Its increasing use of Iranian Mohajer and Shahed drones has resulted in Ukraine calling for support. Col. Rodion Kulagin of the Ukrainian army stated that he “hoped the US and allies could provide Ukraine with more advanced anti-drone technologies, or would step in to disrupt Iranian drone shipments to Russia.”
It is worth noting that, by supplying Russia with drones, the Iranian regime is likely helping Moscow save on expenses and score victories in Ukraine. As Serhiy Bratchuk, spokesperson for Odesa’s regional administration, warned: “(Russia) is trying to save on missiles... these Shaheds are much cheaper, they can be used much more frequently and in pairs. We are seeing that the enemy can even launch several of these kamikaze drones for one attack.”
Another critical and common interest between Russia and the theocratic establishment of Iran is circumventing Western sanctions, which have inflicted damage on the economies of both countries. This has led to increasing trade between Moscow and Tehran. Trade between the two countries rose 81 percent to a record $3.3 billion in 2021. They are planning to boost trade by another 300 percent to $10 billion a year.
By supplying Russia with drones, the Iranian regime is likely helping Moscow save on expenses and score victories in Ukraine.
Dr. Majid Rafizadeh
In May, Russia confirmed it was strengthening its trade with Iran. “We’re on track to raise trade, economic, logistics, investment, financial, banking cooperation, despite the unprecedented pressure that Russia is experiencing,” Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak told businesses in Tehran.
Meanwhile, the Iranian regime is relying on Russia to help it get a favorable nuclear deal. When it comes to the nuclear negotiations, Moscow has been returning Tehran’s favor by taking its side and seemingly helping it get more concessions from the Western powers. Russia’s chief negotiator Mikhail Ulyanov praised his Iranian “colleagues,” stating: “I am absolutely sincere in this regard when I say that Iran got much more than it could expect (from the Biden administration).”
The Iranian leaders have been emboldened because their actions have not been dealt with forcefully by the US and its European allies, who appear to be concerned that tough measures may scuttle the prospects of reviving the nuclear deal. As US Rep. Michael McCaul pointed out: “When you project strength, you have peace. When you project weakness like this, how can any country look at this performance and not think about weakness and maybe incompetence? And that is inviting this aggression.”
This is why the Biden administration should not be trusting Russia to be the sole country tasked with overseeing the Iranian regime’s compliance with the nuclear deal and keeping secure Iran’s highly enriched uranium — thus allowing Moscow to return it to Iran if the mullahs request it. There is strong opposition to such a provision in the US Congress, as 50 bipartisan lawmakers last month wrote to President Joe Biden: “We strongly urge your administration not to permit Russia to be the recipient of Iran’s enriched uranium nor to have the right to conduct nuclear work with the Islamic Republic, including a $10 billion contract to expand Iran's nuclear infrastructure.”
In a nutshell, Russia and the Iranian regime are increasing ties at all levels. The West must stand firm against this growing relationship.
• Dr. Majid Rafizadeh is a Harvard-educated Iranian-American political scientist. Twitter: @Dr_Rafizadeh
