The JCPOA and Changing Dimensions of the Russia–Iran Relations

Abstract

Relations between Russia and Iran have always been complex and subtle. On one hand, Iran and Russia have enjoyed wide economic, military and nuclear strategic cooperation and the latter has played a major role in Iran’s nuclear program and provided the former with nuclear experts and technical know-how. Hence, Russia has been embroiled in many controversies as the West realized that it did not share their political concerns of security over Iran. On the other hand, although Russia was overtly interested in developing nuclear cooperation with Iran, it was more an attempt to save its own nuclear industry from collapse than to strengthen Iran’s nuclear capability. Thus, in reality, Russia was as skeptical as the other P5+1 nations about a nuclear armed Iran as it realized that the latter could destabilize the situation in the Middle East. The US openly criticized Russia’s strategic partnership with Iran and demanded that it should cut off all ties with Iran. Russia was apprehensive that if the nuclear talks failed, the US might take military action against Iran which in turn would have a destabilizing effect on regional security.