Intel: Why Russia boosts Iran even as Tehran pares nuclear deal commitments
Despite their differences on Syria, Russia needs a stronger Iran as its partner.
Iran has halted implementation of its commitments related to nuclear research and development under the 2015 nuclear deal. The move followed Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif’s trip to Moscow as part of his tour to rally support for the crumbling Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).
The rhetoric from Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov replicated the style of his previous meeting with Zarif in May in Moscow. Both characterized US sanctions as “unilateral illegitimate restrictions” and reemphasized the need to protect bilateral economic projects in the face of continued American dominance in world trade. The two also said countries that are not sanctioned by the United States understand the “abnormality of Washington imposing its unilateral decisions.”
