Czar in Tehran

Moscow is flexing muscles. Its new re-alignment with neighbours, especially in the wake of its aggression over Ukraine, is meant to broaden its horizon and counter the eastward expansion of NATO. President Vladimir Putin’s visit to Iran is an extension of the agenda to proactively engage regional powers and chalk-out a new order. Tehran too, in its struggle to break free from sanctions, has a common denominator to address. Moreover, both the countries being at odds with Washington are eager to check US hegemony and further measures to buoy avenues for ensuring uninterrupted supply of oil and gas to the world at large.

Putin’s landmark visit to Tehran has come close on the heels of his Chinese sojourn in February. The subsequent declaration of war on Ukraine that led to spiral in food and oil prices has poised Moscow at a critical juncture. Therefore, the lone superpower is seen hip-hopping in the Middle East to reassure its allies on security profile. But what makes Russia the next cathedral of power is its energy doctrine, one from which many states in Europe and Asia are benefitting from.

Iran and Russia have a long way to go as they re-orient their priorities. Iran sits on a staggering investment of $300 dollars in the BRI sphere. It has armament and strategic deals with Russia too. The grand huddle of Iran, India, Russia, China and Turkey is primarily meant to negate US involvement and redo a new strategic alignment. Moscow and Tehran have a renewed understanding on fissures in the Arab world, and Russia’s tactical support to Syria has enabled Iran to retain its influence till the shores of the Mediterranean. In Russia, Iran has a new allied-ally, and its undercurrents are too spontaneous to be ignored.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 20^th, 2022.

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