The Jerusalem Post: Russia and Iran are increasingly close partners

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov has criticized threats by the United States to bomb Iran. His remarks appear to be part of Iranian messaging to deter any U.S. action. Iran appears to hope Russia might help prevent U.S. strikes, The Jerusalem Post writes.

As noted, Russia and Iran are increasingly close partners. Russia, Iran, and China also held recent talks in Beijing.

Russia does not want to see its Iranian ally weakened. This is increasingly important for Moscow after the Assad regime in Syria fell. Russia needs Iranian partnership on various issues, including naval cooperation. Russia and Iran also want to increase trade via the Caucasus and a north-south trade corridor that will go through Azerbaijan and possibly Armenia.

Moscow has said any U.S. strike could have “catastrophic” consequences for the region.

Iran needs to come to the table within the next month and a half, Trump said. Tehran has rejected direct talks with the U.S. It has proposed indirect talks, likely in Oman. “If they don’t make a deal, there will be bombing,” Trump said in an interview with NBC News.

Ryabkov says such methods are inappropriate. Russia said it could help mediate between the U.S. and Iran. “This would be interesting, considering the U.S. is also mediating between Russia and Ukraine. This multipronged mediation could lead to a grand bargain that encapsulates several issues, including Ukraine and Iran’s nuclear program. This would likely be perceived as a win for Russia because it would position Moscow strongly in guaranteeing both the Iranian nuclear issue and the Ukrainian ceasefire,” reads the article.