On Friday, Russian President Vladimir Putin and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian met for the first time at a regional summit held in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan. This encounter signals a significant warming of relations between these two nations, both of which are under heavy international sanctions. As the Middle East braces itself for the aftermath of Iran's recent missile strikes—its largest to date against Israel—this meeting becomes even more crucial.
A New Chapter in International Relations
Putin’s meeting with Pezeshkian is not just a diplomatic handshake; it’s emblematic of a burgeoning alliance between Russia and Iran, particularly in the wake of Russia's military engagements in Ukraine. Over the past few years, the two countries have developed closer military ties, a trend that has accelerated since the onset of the Ukraine conflict in February 2022. Iran has been a significant supplier of military hardware to Russia, including thousands of "Shahed" attack drones. Reports from U.S. officials indicate that Iran has also set up a drone factory on Russian soil. Moreover, Iran has recently provided short-range ballistic missiles to bolster Russia's military efforts in Ukraine, marking a dramatic escalation in their cooperative efforts.
During their meeting, Putin remarked on the collaborative nature of their relationship, stating, “We are actively working together in the international arena, and our assessments of events taking place in the world are often very close,” according to the Russian state media outlet TASS. This assertion emphasizes the mutual dependency that has formed between the two nations, especially as they navigate a global landscape rife with sanctions and international pressures.
Understanding the Context
The geopolitical backdrop of this meeting is quite complex. Aniseh Bassiri Tabrizi, a senior analyst at the UK think tank Chatham House, points out that since the Ukraine crisis, Iran and Russia have increasingly relied on each other. “Since Ukraine, the two countries have been more equal in terms of both needing each other and relying on each other for specific issues. And that, I think, has been seen as beneficial from the Iranian side,” she noted. This growing alliance is particularly evident in their mutual support for Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's regime, as both countries find themselves more isolated due to international sanctions.
Interestingly, there’s a perception in Moscow that Iran possesses valuable knowledge about evading sanctions—an expertise that could be advantageous for Russia. Bassiri Tabrizi elaborated, saying, “I think it’s overall a goal from the Iranian side, so that has been part of the broader conversation about being part of the BRICS,” the economic bloc that Iran officially joined earlier this year.
The New Iranian Leadership
The Iranian leader, Pezeshkian, is a reformist who took office after the tragic death of former President Ebrahim Raisi in a helicopter crash earlier this year. Since assuming his role, Pezeshkian has made it clear that he aims to strengthen ties with Russia as a countermeasure to the “cruel” sanctions imposed by Western nations. This desire for collaboration was echoed in his recent meeting with Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin, where Pezeshkian called for an acceleration of joint projects. On the flip side, Russia has shown interest in diversifying its trade and enhancing economic cooperation with Iran. Mishustin even extended an invitation to Pezeshkian to attend the upcoming BRICS summit in Russia, where the two nations are expected to finalize a comprehensive strategic agreement.
The Russian Foreign Ministry has taken a proactive stance, touting these recent diplomatic interactions as evidence that relations between Moscow and Tehran are at an “all-time high,” according to TASS. This development comes as no surprise; both countries are looking to bolster their standing on the international stage.
Balancing Regional and Global Issues
However, the agenda for their discussions extends beyond bilateral relations. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov mentioned that the situation in the Middle East would also be a crucial topic of conversation. “The agenda will focus on primarily bilateral Russian-Iranian relations,” he said, “but, of course, the situation in the Middle East will not be ignored. In any case, there will be a serious conversation.” This acknowledgment of broader regional dynamics suggests that while both leaders are keen to strengthen their partnership, they are also acutely aware of the multifaceted challenges they face.
As tensions rise in the Middle East, particularly regarding Iran's activities and its proxies, there are reports suggesting Russian involvement in arms transfers to Iran-backed groups like the Houthis in Yemen. Viktor Bout, a notorious Russian arms dealer who gained notoriety during a high-profile prisoner exchange involving American basketball star Brittney Griner, is allegedly back in the arms trade. Reports indicate that he is negotiating the sale of $10 million worth of automatic weapons to the Houthis, a claim Bout has denied.
The Complexity of Their Alliance
Despite these developments, some analysts, including Bassiri Tabrizi, caution against assuming that these geopolitical shifts will solidify a seamless partnership between Russia and Iran. In fact, she argues that the conflicts involving Iranian proxies might distract the international community from Russia's ongoing challenges in Ukraine. “We know that Russia is very much focusing on what’s going on in Ukraine. It probably cannot stretch itself much in terms of delivery of technical and military capability to Iran beyond a certain point,” she explained. Thus, while the relationship between the two countries has grown and is likely to continue on that trajectory, it may not be devoid of tensions or misalignments.
Looking Ahead
As both nations navigate this intricate web of diplomacy, military cooperation, and economic strategy, their future interactions will undoubtedly shape the geopolitical landscape of the Middle East and beyond. The meeting in Turkmenistan serves as a critical juncture for both leaders, with the potential for far-reaching implications. The stakes are high, and the world will be watching closely to see how this evolving relationship unfolds.
The dance of diplomacy between Russia and Iran is just beginning, and while the initial signs appear promising, only time will tell whether this alliance can withstand the tests of international scrutiny and domestic pressures. What’s certain is that the implications of their collaboration will reverberate far beyond their borders, affecting regional stability and global power dynamics for years to come.
Login