Russia-Ukraine war: The unique opportunity for Iran
March 5, 2022, 3:20 pm

Russia-Ukraine war: The unique opportunity for Iran

Zara saleh

Due to the Russian invasion of Ukraine, it’s predicted worldwide that European economic sanctions against Russia may be lead to an energy crisis in Europe and disrupt the energy market as well. However, instead of Russia, Iran can easily supply the European countries with needed gas and oil. As second-largest gas reserves behind Russia and the fourth-largest oil reserves behind Venezuela, Saudi Arabia, and Canada, Iran could become a new alternative energy source for Europe.

As usual for the Iranian "pragmatic" regime to use the regional and international crisis for its benefits and interests, Tehran now is looking forward to playing an essential role in the current conflict between Russia and Ukraine in several aspects. Iran, consequently, can achieve political and economic benefits regarding the ongoing nuclear negotiations in Vienna between Iran and the US and world-wide powers as they been negotiating to revive the 2015 nuclear deal. The current military and diplomatic tensions and confrontations between Moscow and the West regarding the Russian invasions, might offer Tehran more chance that the US could maybe compromise in Vienna's nuclear talks.

Tehran's economy can make benefit from the Ukraine crisis and boost Iran's economy after years of international sanctions regarding the nuclear program. Such a unique chance could offer to Iran if Russia, the largest gas reserves in the world, decided to stop exporting gas to the European countries. Furthermore, Iran can supply Europe with oil and gas and become the main energy source for European countries due to the predicted sanctions against Moscow by Europe.

On the other hand, Iran is seeking to continue its strong relationship with Russia and to ensure its influence in different regional crisis such as Syria and currently in the Ukraine war. In his phone call with Russian President Putin, Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi has blamed the US and NATO for Ukraine's war. Meanwhile, Iran is aware of the importance of its relationship with Russia due to the Ukraine crisis and how Moscow needs to have such a partner like Iran to confront the West's sanctions. At the same time, Iran can rely on the vital role of Russia as a permanent member of the UN security council and as a key member of the Vienna nuclear negotiations. Besides that, Tehran is an endeavour for further partnership with Moscow that can include economic and military deals, and such as relations will definitely ensure the Russian position in Vienna's talks with Iran.

As a result, over the shadow of the Russian-Ukraine war and the reckless deterioration of the Russian and Western ties, Russia is seeking to continue its relations with Tehran as an important ally in this crisis. However, Russia and Iran still share common interests, but they remain in competition and confrontations in their strategic goal in some places of conflict. Consequently, if the US and Russia can reach a deal over the Ukraine war, the wind may run against the Iranian ships and their wishes.

BY: Zara Saleh

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Upon arriving to participate in the summit of the European Political Community, which includes around forty heads of state in Budapest, he said, "I look forward to sitting with the elected U.S. president and seeing how we will collectively ensure we meet challenges, including the threats from Russia and North Korea." He also noted that the strengthening of ties between Russia and North Korea poses a threat to the United States as well, according to reports from Agence France-Presse.

Before Trump's victory, Rutte expressed confidence that a united Washington would remain part of the defensive alliance, even if Trump became the 47th president of the United States. In an interview with German public broadcaster ZDF last Monday night, he stated that both Republicans and Democrats understand that NATO serves not only the security of Europe but also that of America. He added that both candidates are aware that the security of the United States is closely tied to NATO.

On Wednesday, NATO congratulated Trump on his victory but did not address the Ukrainian issue.

It is noteworthy that the relationship between the elected U.S. president and the defense alliance was not the best during his first term in the White House. Trump criticized NATO member states multiple times and even hinted at withdrawing from the alliance unless they increased their financial contributions.

Additionally, the issue of the Russian-Ukrainian war is one of the matters that complicate relations between the two sides, especially since Trump has repeatedly stated that he can end this ongoing conflict, which began in 2022, quickly. He implied that he had a peace plan between Kyiv and Moscow, while his vice president, JD Vance, revealed aspects of that plan, which stipulated Ukraine's commitment not to join NATO, thereby sending reassuring signals to the Russians.

Furthermore, many NATO member states in Europe fear that Trump might halt military aid to Ukraine after he previously criticized the U.S. for pouring funds into supporting Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.