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Iranian mistrust of Russia surges as Syrian war winds down

The Iranian media increasingly reflects fears and mistrust of Russian intentions in Syria.

Russian solders are seen at a new corridor of Jisreen-Mleha road where they expect people to arrive from eastern Ghouta, in Damascus, Syria March 8, 2018. REUTERS/Omar Sanadiki - RC1D320A0E90
Russian soldiers are seen along a new corridor of Jisreen-Mleha road where they expect people to arrive from eastern Ghouta, Damascus, Syria, March 8, 2018. — REUTERS/Omar Sanadiki

In Iran, the media's negative view toward Russia is intensifying amid speculation that Moscow is bypassing Tehran in Syria.

Unfavorable Iranian views of the Kremlin go back to the early 1800s, when the Russian empire defeated the Iranian army in two consecutive wars, leading to the cession of major territories to Russia. Under two treaties between the two countries in 1813 and 1828, Iran ceded Dagestan, eastern Georgia, modern-day Armenia, the southern parts of current-day Azerbaijan, including Nakhchivan, and Igdir province, now part of Turkey.

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