Political Cooperation between Iran and Russia in the Syrian Crisis (2010-2017)

Subject Areas : علوم سیاسی

Mohammad  Mosaddegh ¹ (Department of Political Science and International Relations, South Tehran Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran)
Garineh  Keshishyan Siraki ² (Department of Political Science and International Relations, South Tehran Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran)
Hassan  Khodaverdi ³ (Department of Political Science and International Relations, South Tehran Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran)

Received: 2023-08-04 Accepted : 2023-08-04 Published : 2022-10-01

Keywords: Iran, Russia, Syria, Crisis, bilateral political relations,

Abstract :

Iran and Russia have been in contact with each other for more than a thousand years, of course, these relations were more social and commercial until the Safavid era, but gradually it took a political and military form, and in the Qajar period, the two countries became neighbors and the period A war and threat emerged between them that made Russia the most important element in Iran's international political life for two centuries. The existence of peaceful relations between the two countries in different periods, the general atmosphere of these interactions was based on the threat element of Russia and the vulnerability of Iran, seeking a third power to create balance. The two phenomena of Iran's Islamic Revolution and the collapse of the Soviet Union brought about the fundamental transformation of the two countries, especially the departure from the neighboring status. Along with the deterioration of Russia's relations with the United States and the West since the beginning of the Ukraine crisis in 2014, Moscow has increased its efforts to expand its relations with Iran. Of course, Iran (especially after the 1979 revolution) has not had friendly relations with the United States; Therefore, having common objections to the foreign policy of the United States has been a factor for cooperation between Iran and Russia. The rapid developments in the Middle East, especially in Syria, Iraq and Yemen, are among the historical milestones in Tehran-Moscow relations. The scene of the developments in Syria has provided a favorable background for the objective prominence of the points of commonality between Iran and Russia regarding international developments and the Middle East region. What is certain is that both countries are against the expansion of the western world's political, economic and military influence in their surrounding areas due to various geopolitical historical reasons and to protect their national interests and security.