Iran: assessment of the tripartite summit with Russia and Turkey

Russian President Vladimir Putin, Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan pose for a photo before a meeting of the leaders of the three states guarantors of the Astana Process, aimed at finding a peaceful solution to the Syrian crisis, in Tehran , Iran, July 19, 2022. via REUTERS - WANA NEWS AGENCY

Text by: RFI Follow

4 mins

The visit of Turkish and Russian Presidents Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Vladimir Putin to Tehran on Tuesday July 19, officially for a summit on Syria, was an opportunity to strengthen relations between Tehran, Ankara and Moscow.

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This summit was the occasion for a clear rapprochement between Iran and Russia, reports our correspondent in Tehran, 

Siavosh Ghazi

.

The Russian President and the Iranian Supreme Leader insisted on strengthening economic and military relations between the two countries.

The Syrian issue on the table

Iran and Russia, which support President Assad's regime, have also said the Americans must leave areas of northeastern Syria controlled by Kurdish forces.

This can also satisfy Turkey, which wanted to launch a military operation against the Kurds.

Nevertheless, Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei reiterated his country's opposition to a possible Turkish military operation in Syria, deeming it "

prejudicial

" for the region, according to an official statement.

Iran's Supreme Leader also claimed that the dollar should be phased out in international trade.

Iran and Russia are hit by American and Western sanctions.

Tehran and Moscow have also strengthened their military relations, as Russia has purchased attack drones from Iran.

Energy issues under discussion

On the occasion of this visit, the two countries signed an agreement in principle for 40 billion dollars of Russian investments in the oil and gas sectors of Iran.

The long-term cooperation between Iran and Russia is very beneficial to both countries (...).

There are agreements and contracts between the two countries, including in the oil and gas sectors that must be pursued and fully implemented

,” a statement from Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said.

Putin also responded to criticism of Gazprom in Germany. 

The Russian gas giant Gazprom has invoked "force majeure" to exonerate itself from responsibility for the massive cuts in its gas deliveries to Europe.

A situation that puts many European countries at odds: they have to look for alternative sources of supply, this is particularly the case in Germany, which is 40% dependent on Russian gas.

Uniper, the largest gas importer in Germany, confirmed having received a letter from Gazprom in which the Russian company retroactively invokes this reason of "force majeure" to justify the drop in gas deliveries.

The RWE group, another Gazprom customer in Germany, has also confirmed that it has received this "force majeure" notice, which releases Gazprom from its contractual obligations by exempting it from any legal liability.

Uniper believes that this is not justified.

Gazprom has reduced gas deliveries via Nord Stream 1 by 60% in recent weeks, citing the absence of a turbine under maintenance in Canada.

In Tehran, Vladimir Putin affirmed that Gazprom had not yet received “the official documents” to bring this turbine from Canada.

“ 

Gazprom has fulfilled, continues to fulfill and will fully fulfill its obligations, if anyone needs it

 ,” he told a press conference after talks in Tehran.

"Gazprom is ready to pump as much as necessary," continued the Russian president, indicating that the West was in trouble because they had taken sanctions against Moscow and "closed" hydrocarbon delivery channels.

To read also Germany: Canada will deliver the turbines for the Russian gas pipeline Nord Stream 1

Cereals: Putin thanks Erdogan

The Russian president called for lifting Western restrictions on Russian cereals to achieve progress in the export of Ukrainian agricultural production, currently blocked in the country because of the Kremlin offensive.

“ 

We will facilitate the export of Ukrainian cereals, but on the basis that all restrictions linked to air deliveries for the export of Russian cereals are lifted

 ”, affirmed Vladimir Putin, after talks in Tehran.

 “ 

We had agreed from the beginning on this point with the international organizations.

But no one took responsibility for finalizing all of this, including our American partners

 ,” he continued.

Restrictions on Russian fertilizer deliveries to the world market have been lifted by the Americans, in practice

 ," Putin said.

“ 

If they sincerely want to improve the situation on world food markets, I hope the same will be true for Russian grain exports

 ,” he added.

Earlier in the day, the Russian president spoke of progress in the negotiations for the export of cereals from Ukraine via the Black Sea and thanked his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan for his " 

mediation

 " in this file.

(And with AFP)

► 

Also to listen: 

Turkey, Iran and Russia want to " 

develop a diplomatic format excluding Westerners

 "

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  • Russia

  • Vladimir Poutine

  • Ali Khamenei

  • Recep Tayyip Erdogan