Tehran is irritated and concerned by recent talks between Moscow and Riyadh on a mechanism to exert greater control over world oil markets.
On Feb. 18, Russia’s President Vladimir Putin spoke by phone with King Salman bin Abdul-Aziz Al Saud of Saudi Arabia. “The two leaders praised the high level of cooperation achieved, including in trade, economic and investment areas," read an official Kremlin statement. "When exchanging views on the global hydrocarbon markets situation, the parties reaffirmed their readiness to continue coordination between Russia and Saudi Arabia.”