Russia "quickly" lifts sanctions on Iran, making the US impatient

(Baonghean) - Less than two weeks after the framework agreement on Iran's controversial nuclear program was reached with the P5+1 group, including Russia, Russian President Vladimir Putin has suddenly signed a decree to lift the ban on the transfer of the S-300 anti-missile defense system to Iran. According to observers, this move by Russia is a "step ahead" in the race to gain benefits from Iran, after the international community is likely to lift sanctions against this Islamic country at the end of June.

With an official announcement from the Kremlin, Russia has officially given the green light to lift the ban on missile exports to Iran. The announcement said: "The decree on lifting the embargo includes transit through the territory of the Russian Federation (including by air); lifting the ban on the transfer of the S-300 air defense system of the Russian Federation to the Islamic Republic of Iran." Despite being close allies, Russia and Iran have been at odds over the supply of the S-300 air defense system. Accordingly, in 2007, Russia signed a contract to sell five S-300 batteries to Iran for $800 million. However, in 2010, Russia had to cancel the contract under pressure from the West, after the United Nations imposed sanctions on Iran related to its nuclear program.

Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu (left) and Iranian Defense Minister Hossein Dehghan during a visit to Iran on January 20, 2015. (Source: yahoo.com)

UN Security Council Resolution 1929 in June 2010 stated: Banning the sale to Iran of “all types of battle tanks, armored fighting vehicles, large-caliber artillery systems, combat aircraft, combat helicopters, warships, missiles or missile systems as they are defined for the purposes of the United Nations Register of Conventional Arms”. Iran then filed a lawsuit with the Geneva arbitration court, Switzerland, against Russia’s Rosoboronexport Corporation for breach of contract. However, the contract was frozen until Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu visited Iran in late January. In addition to lifting the ban on the sale of S-300 missile defense systems to Iran, Russia also began supplying grain, equipment and construction materials to Tehran in exchange for crude oil under a barter agreement.

Russia's "quicker" action has surprised the US and inevitably led to immediate criticism. After Russia's statement, both the US State Department and the White House spoke out simultaneously. On April 14, Lenta quoted White House spokesman Josh Ernest as saying that Russia's lifting of the ban on selling the S-300 missile defense system to Iran could hinder the country's nuclear program plans as well as move towards lifting international sanctions against Tehran. In a previous phone call with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, US Secretary of State John Kerry also voiced his opposition to Russia's decision despite the Russian Foreign Minister's assertion that the S-300 is a defensive system and does not threaten the security of any country in the region.

It is understandable that the US is impatient with the lifting of the missile embargo on Iran, because Russia will certainly gain many benefits. Firstly, the lifting of this embargo is a clear sign that Russia is ready to have a head start in the race to gain benefits from the lifting of the embargo on Iran. That is, while the US is still trying to achieve a positive result for the Iranian nuclear program before the June 30 deadline, Russia is already one step ahead. Secondly, in the context of Russia still being economically besieged by the West related to the Ukraine crisis, large missile contracts like those with Iran are a significant source of revenue to strengthen the domestic economy. And thirdly, not only does Russia tighten relations with its ally Iran, it also wants to prevent Iran and the US from getting closer to each other, after the nuclear issue is resolved.

Meanwhile, on Iran's side, Iranian state media quoted Defense Minister Hossein Dehghan as welcoming the move to lift the ban on the sale of Russia's S-300 missile system, saying that the event would help "expand cooperation" and "create stability in the region." In fact, Iran has long been looking forward to resuming the S-300 contract. For Tehran, owning the S-300 air defense system will give the Islamic country confidence in its defense, in a context where relations with Israel have never cooled down. According to analysts, this S-300 breakthrough will also help both Russia and Iran deal with US intervention in the Middle East hotspot - where both Tehran and Moscow are strategizing to create position and influence here.

However, the recent positive developments in the Iran nuclear negotiations will partly benefit Russia and Iran, but on the other hand, they will also create many new challenges for both countries. For Russia, there is a risk that Iran will have its sanctions eased and will open up its relations with the West, including the US. This means that Iran will leave Russia's sphere of influence, which is something that Moscow does not want. Tehran can be considered an ally of Russia, similar to Syria, with a lot of military, defense, and economic support from Moscow. But in the new context, any strategic choice will have to be adjusted accordingly. Therefore, Iran will also have to have its own considerations, when on the one hand, adjusting its relations with the West to "open up" its huge oil reserves that are under embargo, but not affecting the Russia-Iran relationship.

However, Russia's concern is not unreasonable, because right after Russia announced the lifting of the missile embargo on Iran, Tehran declared its readiness to supply gas to European countries. Despite both sides declaring that this would not be a challenge or cause difficulties for each other; but everyone knows that Iran has the second largest natural gas reserves in the world, after Russia. Therefore, it is certain that after the Iran nuclear dossier is resolved, the world will witness major shifts in the axes of relations not only in the Middle East but also around the world.

Phuong Hoa