Where will Russia-Iran relations go?

(Baonghean.vn)- Observers believe that the Russia-Iran relationship will move towards a new phase of close cooperation after Iran reached a nuclear deal last month. This is certainly possible because both Russia and Iran are showing that they are ready to join hands to enter a new phase of cooperation when Iran is "untied" from embargoes and sanctions.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov (right) receives his Iranian counterpart Mohammad Javad Zarif in Moscow, August 17, 2015.

Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif is visiting Russia to discuss with host officials the newly reached nuclear deal with the P5+1 group and the conflict in Syria. The Iranian Foreign Minister's visit to Russia takes place within the framework of the recently enhanced Russia-Iran dialogue, reflecting the high level of understanding between the two countries. Compared to the consecutive visits to Middle Eastern and South Asian countries that Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif has just made, Mr. Zarif's visit to Russia is of special interest, because Russia-Iran relations always have many things to discuss, not only at the bilateral level but also related to many important international issues.

The question of “where will the Russia-Iran relationship go” after the historic nuclear agreement reached last month is of interest to the media and scholars. For a long time, the Russia-Iran relationship has always been described as close and close. So, how far will a comprehensive agreement on Iran’s nuclear program in Vienna (Austria) pave the way for this relationship to develop? In response to these questions, the Foreign Ministers of Iran and Russia both affirmed that bilateral relations will be raised to a new level. This is certainly possible because both Russia and Iran are showing that they are ready to join hands to enter a new phase of cooperation when Iran is “untied” from embargoes and sanctions.

For Iran, Russia is not only a traditional partner but also an important factor in creating a breakthrough to help reach the Iran nuclear deal. It is the extremely effective initiatives that the Russian delegation put forward that helped to break the deadlock of the arduous negotiations that have lasted for decades. According to the agreement, 96% of the country's enriched uranium will be partly sold, and a part will be depleted and converted into nuclear fuel to supply Russia's nuclear power plants. In return, the West will ease sanctions against Iran.

The first cooperation between the two countries will be in the economic field. For Iran, reviving its economy after decades of sanctions is the top priority at the moment. To do that, calling and attracting foreign investors is extremely important. Meanwhile, Russia is considered an enthusiastic factor in starting the international race to the potential rich market of Iran once the sanctions are lifted. Currently, Moscow's special interest is focused on Iran's nuclear power industry. During the recent dialogue, Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov said that a contract between Moscow and Tehran on the construction of eight nuclear units will strengthen Iran's energy industry.

The two sides will also continue to strengthen their already diverse trade links, which have been growing in importance in recent years amid Western economic sanctions. Last year, the two countries negotiated a multi-billion dollar deal to swap Iranian oil for Russian electricity. The deal, which forms the bulk of a $12 billion bilateral deal, will see Russia export 500 megawatt hours of electricity to Iran in exchange for 500,000 barrels of oil a day. Iran will also buy goods such as steel, flour and machinery from Russia and Eurasian Economic Union countries such as Kazakhstan and Belarus. In return, Russia will buy food products such as milk, meat and fish from Iran.

In addition to economic cooperation, both sides are also planning for closer defense cooperation in the future. Russia's resumption of an agreement to sell S-300 surface-to-air missile systems to Iran is a typical example. In 2007, Russia and Iran signed this agreement with a contract worth 800 million USD. However, in 2010, Russia unilaterally canceled the contract due to UN sanctions against Iran due to its nuclear program. Iran filed a lawsuit in the International Court of Arbitration, demanding 4 billion USD in compensation. Since then, Russia-Iran relations have become tense, but last April, Russian President Putin lifted the ban on supplying Iran with this modern missile defense system.

According to the nuclear deal just reached, the arms embargo on Iran will continue to be in effect for 5 years and the embargo on long-range missile manufacturing technology will be in effect for 8 years. Therefore, Russia's S-300 missile is a weapon that Iran is in dire need of in the context that this country is gradually regaining its position in the region. As for Russia, the sale of S-300 also helps them earn a considerable amount of budget.

In addition, both Russia and Iran are clearly seeing the strategic benefits of being together. Iran can rely on Russia to join international organizations, while Russia can also use Iran's position to increase its influence in the Middle East. This is demonstrated by the fact that Iranian President Hassan Rouhani recently attended the BRICS and Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Summits in Ufa, Russia. A series of meetings between Mr. Rouhani and Russian and Chinese officials have shown the priorities in Iran's foreign policy. So far, Iran has not been able to join the SCO due to UN sanctions, but the recently reached nuclear agreement could open the door to new cooperation for Iran. Analysts say that in the near future, Iran will become a member of these organizations.

Not to mention, the common voice between Russia and Iran, the current allies of the Syrian government, can find a solution to this crisis that is facing many deadlocks. This is also an important content in the meeting between the Foreign Ministers of Iran and Russia, in which both sides reaffirmed their opposition to the precondition of removing the role of Syrian President Bashar Al Assad as part of a peace agreement. The unchanged position of Russia and Iran on this issue is that the fate of President Al Assad must be decided by the Syrian people. Analysts say that once Iran wants to prove its role as a mediator in the Syrian crisis, it needs support from Moscow.

Thus, it is clear that both Russia and Iran are finding new cooperation opportunities that suit their bilateral interests and can create new international situations./.

Thanh Huyen