Tehran-Moscow, from Resolving Challenges to Regional Cooperation

The visit made by Dr. Zarif to Moscow could be analyzed from several aspects:

1-Mr. Zarif’s visit to Moscow was made after his Middle East periodical visits and it seems that Syria was the main topic of discussion between Tehran and Moscow. Both countries, one regional and one extra-regional, could play an important role in the future of Syria. On one hand, both countries have strategic interests and cooperation with Syria. Russia’s military base is located in the port of Tartus in the Mediterranean Sea. Iran needs Syria’s collaboration to reach Hezbollah and Lebanon. Therefore, Syria is strategically important for Iran and Russia from different aspects. Thus, this visit could be aimed at collaborating with each other on Syria’s future. Recently, Bashar Assad stated that he is faced with problems regarding military forces and their maintenance in order to preserve the central government’s dominance in remote areas of the country, hence, he needs more forces. Perhaps the central government only has one fourth of the needed forces, thus, it would be natural if what happens in Syria’s political scene would impact Iran, Russia and other countries of the region. Turkey is monitoring the situation in Syria and seeks to establish a no-fly zone. On the other hand, it proposes direct intervention and cooperates with the coalition. In general, these issues are more important than the nuclear dossier because this issue is resolved now and is waiting for Congress’ approval, although reports indicate that the US administration is interested in its adoption and in case of the Congress’ rejection, the president will veto it.

2- The other issue is related to Iran joining the Eurasian Economic Union. This union was established in Belarus, a union which western Ukraine did not agree to join and created this crisis because it was interested in joining Euro-Atlantic structures. On the other hand, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan have joined this union. Now Iran’s embassy in Russia has also stated Tehran’s interest in joining this union. Therefore, this issue may have been discussed in this visit. The basic and important issue is the structure of regional cooperation. Besides ECO, which has not been able to impose its decisions on others, Iran is interested in joining other organizations including Shanghai. However, this behavior might seem hasty because, due to Iran’s valuable position and considering its capabilities, energy, road networks and ports, it must act with patience. Iran must not demand the membership of any organization as Shanghai once again rejected Iran’s membership, although this demand was proposed when the nuclear issue had not yet been resolved. Nonetheless, Iran has numerous capabilities. Due to Iran’s role in the international scene and its ability to resolve the longest political dispute, others must demand its membership. For example, Iran joining the Shanghai Cooperation Organization is not beneficial, thus, members of this organization must demand Iran’s membership in order to promote the status of this organization. Compared to other countries of the region and even Russia, Iran, based on its reliance on national forces and domestic possibilities, has higher standards. Iran’s potentials must first be introduced. Iran must pay more attention to its neighbors and expand its regional cooperation particularly with Turkey, Iraq, Afghanistan, the Republic of Azerbaijan and Turkmenistan. There are certain capabilities in economic cooperation which must be used.

3- It is natural that besides the existing challenges with Russia, there is the issue of the sale of S300 missiles. This issue has now become complicated and Russia has not delivered them to Iran. However, it has recently stated that it is ready to sell them to Iran. Thus, we must act intelligently. During the period of sanctions, Russia collaborated with the West and did not deliver these missiles. In the period of the suspension in selling this system to Iran, the West made efforts to build the system of anti-S300 missiles and sell them to countries of the region. Now Russia intends to sell them to Iran when the West has been able to gain its markets and establish its position. Russians had, many times, stated that the West intended to attack Iran to sell its arms to Iran. But this was aimed at creating Iranophobia in the West. It seems that Russia was one of the elements which elongated Iran’s dispute with the West. Russia does not like Iran to have relations with the West. This is while Iran is an independent country with an independent foreign policy and acts according to its own interests. When Mr. Lavrov stated that now the US Defense Missile System must be dismantled because Iran’s nuclear dispute is resolved, it indicated that Iran is a threat against the West and not Russia. This is while the establishment of the US Defense Missile Shield was aimed at standing against Russia because Iran does not act aggressively due to its national security doctrine.

4- The issue of the Caspian Sea and its legal regime is also another issue of discussion. Although this issue is more complicated, since both parties intend to determine a new legal regime, other problems may occur. Prior to the Revolution, when the borders of the Caspian Sea with the neighboring countries were drawn, no one knew when it was signed because this is a complicated legal, political and technical issue. Now everyone in society talks about this issue and states that we have unfairly been treated. But there is nothing to worry about because a committee has been appointed by the president to pursue this matter. As a team of legal, political and technical experts had been appointed to resolve the nuclear issue and they succeeded in this regard, this issue will also be resolved.