An article in the Russian newspaper "Eadaily" described the experience of Russian-Iranian relations as amazing, despite the presence of objectively competitive aspects of it in both energy supply and the framework of political interaction.
And it was stated in the article - written by Levon Saffarian - that cooperation with Tehran has become for Moscow one of the main tasks, especially in the context of Western sanctions on both countries, and the collective confrontation with the West.
According to the writer, Russian President Vladimir Putin's upcoming visit to Tehran is interesting, as it addresses a number of issues, including the Syrian crisis, the delivery of Iranian drones to Russia, in addition to other prospects for Russian-Iranian relations, especially in the fields of energy, trade and economy.
The importance of Iran to Russia
Saffarian added that Iran is important to Moscow, especially in terms of its experience in circumventing Western sanctions;
As the possibility of trading between Russia and Iran in national currencies should deal another blow to the hegemony of the dollar, and the achievement of the transport corridor between the north and south to work in full capacity are other matters that are no less important in the relations between the two countries, and Tehran also proposes to expand cooperation in the Iranian automobile industry to include The Russian market, and such steps are important in the context of Iran's imminent accession to the BRICS group, which means that the organization will enter the Middle East with the possibility of further expansion in the region, and this further enhances trade and economic cooperation with Moscow.
The writer explained that Iran has gradually become a center of regional activity in various fields;
From a military and political point of view, cooperation with Tehran guarantees Russia the possibility of establishing a classic balance of power with Turkey in both Syria and the Caucasus;
As one of the potential strong players in the hydrocarbons market, Iran, especially against the backdrop of Western countries' refusal to give up Russian oil and gas, as well as attempts to revive the nuclear deal, is also of interest to Moscow.
Their positions in Syria
The writer shows that Russia and Iran officially oppose any further Turkish military operation in northern Syria;
Because it may lead to destabilization of the situation in the region.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is expected to ensure that his country's actions will not affect the areas controlled by the Syrian government forces, and will cover only Kurdish areas, like the plan that Turkish military operations had already tested.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has also said that Moscow understands Ankara's security concerns.
In this context, the writer pointed out that the interests of Moscow and Tehran differ;
Iran is closer to the regime of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, while Russia seeks to establish the broadest "equal relations" with all the great powers in the region.