Russian-Iranian Cooperation as a Threat to National and Global Security
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.31861/mhpi2024.50.20-31Keywords:
Islamic Republic of Iran, Russian Federation, «Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action» (JCPOA), military cooperation, strategic partnership, drones, nuclear program, sanctions, «International North-South Transit Corridor» (INSTC), Russian-Ukrainian warAbstract
Key directions and features of cooperation between the Russian Federation and the Islamic Republic of Iran are highlighted. The main focus is on military-technical cooperation, which is an additional factor complicating the situation on the Russian-Ukrainian front and creating new threats to regional and global security. It is emphasized that before the start of Russia's full-scale war against Ukraine, Iran was more dependent on Russia's military technologies, but Iran's supply of drones, which play an important role in the conflict, significantly changed the nature of bilateral relations, turning them into a "full-fledged defense partnership". Iran also provides artillery shells, small arms ammunition and is considering the transfer of short-range ballistic missiles. Russia, in turn, provides Iran with military electronics, air defense equipment, attack helicopters, combat aircraft and radars, and Russian cyber technologies are of interest to Iran. Cooperation is also expanding in the space sphere. Analyzes how the war affects the development of Iran's nuclear program. It is emphasized that the Russian-Ukrainian war has significantly weakened international efforts to control Iran's nuclear program, which has become more advanced and less controlled since the Russian invasion. The experience of circumventing international sanctions by the joint efforts of the two countries and the prospects for the development of the International Transport Corridor "North-South" (INSTC) are also considered. Problems and opportunities for further cooperation between Iran and Russia are highlighted separately. In general, it is stated that the deepening of the military partnership between Moscow and Tehran contributes to the prolongation of the conflict in Ukraine. At the same time, Russia could change the balance of power in the Middle East by providing new military aid to Iran, supporting its nuclear ambitions and fueling the escalation in Syria.
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