The United States of America and Western countries seem disturbed by what they describe as the growing Russian-Iranian military cooperation, as their eyes closely monitor the rapprochement of the two countries and count the number of their movements and residences.

So what scares them of that?

Western reports indicate that cooperation between Russia and Iran is moving towards unprecedented levels, especially since the outbreak of the war in Ukraine, a shift that was made according to the Western interpretation of a mutual Russian-Iranian interest, as Tehran is working to support Moscow with marches in the war it is waging against Ukraine, while The Russians provide the Iranians with fighters, radars and air defense systems to counter any possible Israeli or American attack against them.

Where is the danger?

Regarding the dangers of rapprochement between Russia and Iran, political science professor at Kuwait University Abdullah Al-Shayji pointed out - in his interview with the "Beyond the News" program (4/3/2023) - that the danger lies in Iran's possession of cards that it may use in its confrontation with the West and its maneuvering. He explained that the rapprochement has not yet reached the level of a strategic partnership, but it is a partnership based on interest between two besieged countries in the West.

In the game of interests, he saw that Russia is using the Iranian card to strike the West clearly, but what might scare America and the West is the development of this partnership to supply Iran with Sukhoi 35 aircraft, which could change the balance of power in the Persian Gulf region because it would give Iran an effective weapon that it was missing.

The "demonization" of Iran

From an Iranian point of view, Tehran believes that Russia may be a platform of salvation benefiting from its war in Ukraine, especially in light of the fluctuation of the position of US President Joe Biden, who did not enact red lines, considering that it is not possible to separate the nuclear negotiations from the military situation in Russia.

Al-Shayji also indicated that there is a "demonization" of Iran's image in the West, as it supports Russia in its war on Ukraine and provides it with weapons, expecting that there will be an escalation from all sides, but he also saw that Iran is playing in a smart way to ensure the return to the nuclear agreement on its own terms.

Not surprising

Returning to the historical background of this rapprochement, the senior researcher at the Al-Jazeera Center for Studies and expert on Iranian affairs, Fatima Al-Samadi, explained that strengthening relations with Russia is not a surprising Iranian decision, but rather came based on the decision of a report submitted by the Expediency Discernment Council in 2008, and this is what made the rapprochement between the two countries easy. Incrementally, especially since betting on Western countries in the Iranian nuclear file was not correct.

She added that Iran believes that heading east - including China - serves its interests more, especially in light of the continued sanctions imposed on it and Western intransigence in the nuclear file, considering that the increasing tension in the relationship with America and the West means turning more towards Russia.

Western caution

As for the American level, Dana Stroul, the US Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for the Middle East, warned - in an exclusive interview with Al-Jazeera - of what she described as the dangers of increasing military cooperation between Iran and Russia in the Middle East region, and while Russia denied on several occasions providing advanced weapons to Iran, reports indicated Western countries have led to the development of defense cooperation between the two sides, especially since the outbreak of the war in Ukraine.

In the context of Western reports regarding this military cooperation, it is noteworthy that the American Foreign Policy magazine quoted an American official as saying that Iran is seeking to obtain the Russian S-300 or S-400 air defense system. manufactured, would help protect its nuclear infrastructure from potential Israeli strikes.

The official added that Moscow and Tehran have already submitted plans to build a factory for the production of drones in Russia, and Iran - according to the US official - is doubling military support to Russia through new military deals that could prolong the war in Ukraine.

It provides it with new economic and defense lifelines in light of the sanctions imposed on it.

According to the US official, Russia is making plans to supply Iran with fighters, helicopters and advanced air defense systems.