For now, dialogue with the Trump administration is not on Iran’s agenda. The Islamic Republic is instead implementing a policy of “resistance” by focusing on improving its economy and mobilizing public support. In parallel, it is engaged in active diplomacy to boost trade and circumvent US sanctions.

As part of the diplomatic frenzy, Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif recently visited Russia, Turkmenistan, Japan, India and China. The last two are leading oil costumers of Iran that have proven that they will ultimately comply with US sanctions to avert punitive measures. Even as China has demonstrated relatively steadfast opposition against US pressure, it does not yet seem to be reliable enough for Iran to fully count on.

Russia thus remains the last option for Tehran to pin its hopes on. Indeed, Moscow was the first destination in Zarif's recent diplomatic tour, which came as Iran announced that it would cease upholding some of its voluntary commitments under the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) in response to Europe’s failure to provide the promised economic dividends of the accord.

While in Moscow, Zarif said Iran and Russia have never been this close in the past few decades, and in further admiration of his hosts, said Iran differentiated between the JCPOA signatories and would never forget Russia's support.