Iran and Russia have little in common along
cultural, ethnic, and religious lines.
Iran is an Islamic Republic, while Russia
has a long history of secularism.
Yet the two are close geopolitical allies,
for one simple reason: The United States.
Conflict throughout the Middle East and Central
Asia has pit the US against both Iran and
Russia, as all three seek greater power in
those regions.
So, what exactly makes up the alliance between
Russia and Iran, and what does it have to
do with the United States?
Well, notably, Russia and Iran have both held
unfriendly relations with the US for decades.
For Iran, this began largely due to a CIA-backed
coup, which replaced the appointed Prime Minister,
with a US-friendly Shah in 1953.
Roughly 26 years later, the Shah was overthrown
in the Islamic Revolution, ending US relations.
As for Russia, negative and competing relation
with the United States following World War
Two ultimately culminated in a half century
long Cold War, lasting until the fall of the
Soviet Union.
Although political disagreements between them
have continued to this day.
As such, the US has placed economic sanctions
on both countries, most recently in Iran for
violating details of an agreement on nuclear
proliferation, and in Russia for the invasion
of Crimea in Ukraine.
In light of these sanctions, the two countries
were forced to rely on each other for certain
types of trade, like oil.
In fact, in recent years, they’ve worked
on an “oil for goods” deal that could
be worth as much as $20 billion dollars, and
would help Iran dispense with its excess of
oil.
Since the two share a border via the Caspian
Sea, they are able to cooperate militarily
as well.
Russia’s Collective Security Treaty Organization,
which serves as an affront to NATO, and features
predominantly post-Soviet states, has invited
Iran to join.
Additionally, the two are primary founders
of the Gas Exporting Countries Forum, which
represents roughly 70% of the world’s natural
gas.
Due to military sanctions against Iran, the
country also relies on Russia for armaments.
In 2010, a UN resolution banned the sale of
missile systems and other heavy weaponry to
Iran, forcing Russia to go back on a deal
for long range surface-to-air missiles.
However, following completion of the Iran
nuclear deal between Iran and the United Nations
Security Council, the missile delivery was
reinstated.
The two countries also work together on security,
particularly against ISIS.
The so called “four plus one coalition”,
made up of Russia, Syria, Iran, Iraq, and
Lebanon have shared intelligence in order
to fight the terror group.
However, the United States has pushed back
on this coalition, saying it aids not just
anti-ISIS efforts, but pro-Syria efforts,
particularly by Russia and Iran.
Both been allies of the Syrian government
for decades.
By some accounts, Iran is more of a pawn for
Russia to wield its influence, rather than
a fully equal partner in their relationship.
One thing is certain however, this generally
favorable relationship has done plenty to
rebuff the United States, while both Iran
and Russia see mutually beneficial results
from their alliance.
Besides the 1953 CIA-backed coup, Iran has
plenty of other reasons to dislike and distrust
the United States.
You can learn more about the history of their
mutual conflict, and where they stand today
by watching this video right here.
On November 4th of that same year, protesters
stormed the U.S. embassy in Iran, and the
Iranian government held 52 Americans hostage
for more than a year.
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