Russia sees Iran deal as new opportunity for Tehran-Moscow co-op
By Sara Rajabova
While some believe that the nuclear agreement reached between Iran and six world powers is not beneficial for Russia especially from economic point of view, Moscow sees the deal as a new opportunity for the further development of Tehran-Moscow relations.
“Russia and Iran have long-standing friendly relations. And now that a comprehensive agreement on the Iranian nuclear program has been reached in Vienna, it has opened up new opportunities for deepening bilateral cooperation,” Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev said in an interview with Egypt’s al-Ahram newspaper published on August 6.
Russia, along with other members of the P5+1 group worked hard to solve the nuclear dispute with Iran, though there were thoughts that Russia would lose on all fronts from the resulting deal.
The experts claimed that Iran’s return to global energy markets would drive oil prices lower. This is an unacceptable scenario for a Russia that is burdened by economic sanctions over the Ukraine conflict. Furthermore, it is believed that Iran might replace its close ally Russia in the European market as the Islamic Republic has voiced interest in exporting its energy recourses to Europe.
Moscow, denying such claims, said the deal offers vast opportunities for enhancing bilateral cooperation.
Medvedev said Russia has always insisted that the Western dispute with Iran over Tehran’s nuclear program only has a “political and diplomatic solution.”
“Between Moscow and Tehran, there are so many more issues, including the Middle East, Afghanistan, and the Caspian. There are plenty of things to cooperate on going forward,” FT quoted Nikolay Kozhanov, a fellow at Chatham House as saying.
Medvedyev said the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action will also contribute to restoration of peace and stability in the Middle East.
“We believe that the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action will not only help restore normal economic and political contacts between Iran and the international community, but will also ensure peace and stability in the Middle East,” he said.
Iran and the P5+1 countries – the United States, Britain, France, China and Russia plus Germany – finalized the text of the JCPOA in Vienna on July 14.
Under the nuclear agreement, limits are put on Iran’s nuclear activities in exchange for a set of commitments by the P5+1, including the removal of all economic and financial bans against the Islamic Republic.
The JCPOA became an internationally recognized document after the UN Security Council on July 22 unanimously endorsed a resolution, under which the International Atomic Energy Agency will continue to verify Iran’s compliance with its nuclear-related commitments under the agreement.
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Sara Rajabova is AzerNews’ staff journalist, follow her on
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