The force of proximity: Russia and Iran will continue all projects despite threats of UN sanctions

Russia and Iran will develop cooperation in the energy, transport and nuclear fields, despite attempts to restore UN Security Council sanctions. This was stated to Izvestia by Russian Ambassador to the Islamic Republic Alexei Dedov. All bilateral projects are ongoing, including the development of the North—South international transport corridor and the participation of Russian companies in the Iranian oil and gas sector. Meanwhile, the diplomat added that Russia and Iran regularly hold consultations on the Syrian issue, where the countries adhere to similar positions regarding the settlement of the conflict. Against this background, a series of high-level visits took place, including the arrival of Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council Ali Larijani in Moscow and subsequent talks in Tehran with Russian presidential Special Envoy for Syria Alexander Lavrentiev.

Russian-Iranian projects under active implementation

Moscow and Tehran will continue to actively cooperate in key areas, despite the termination of UN Security Council Resolution 2231 and Western attempts to restore sanctions against Iran. This was stated to Izvestia by Russian Ambassador to the Islamic Republic Alexei Dedov, stressing that all joint initiatives of the two countries are "at the stage of active implementation."

According to him, the end of the ten-year term of resolution 2231, which approved the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) on the Iranian nuclear program, means the termination of all restrictions stipulated by it. The diplomat noted that the information posted on the UN website about the "restoration of long-standing sanctions resolutions" is unreliable.

— All existing joint projects, primarily in the nuclear, energy and transport sectors, are at the stage of active implementation. I am confident that we will continue to work with our Iranian friends in the same partnership manner," the ambassador said.

Moscow believes that the steps taken by European countries with the support of the United States are completely untenable in legal and procedural terms and cannot impose any obligations on members of the international community.

The diplomat added that Russian-Iranian cooperation will be built in strict accordance with national legislation, international obligations and the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Agreement that entered into force on October 2.

"From now on, control over the Iranian nuclear program is carried out exclusively within the framework of the Treaty on the Non—Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons and the Comprehensive Safeguards Agreement between Iran and the IAEA," said Alexey Dedov.

The UN Security Council rejected a draft resolution proposed by Russia and China on a six-month extension of the JCPOA, which, according to Moscow, could help resume negotiations and avoid unilateral steps.

On August 28, the United Kingdom, France and Germany initiated a mechanism to restore sanctions against Iran lifted under the 2015 nuclear deal; they formally entered into force on September 28. Russia and Iran called these measures illegal, accusing the West of violating the terms of the agreement and the US withdrawal from it.

The sanctions include a ban on the supply of technology for Iran's nuclear and missile programs, heavy weapons, as well as asset freezes and restrictions on banking transactions.

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Lana Ravandi-Fadai, a senior researcher at the Institute of Oriental Studies of the Russian Academy of Sciences, notes that Russia and Iran are demonstrating their readiness to further develop joint projects, despite the sanctions pressure.

"Moscow has already stated that it does not recognize the legality of the new restrictions, and both countries are still focused on strengthening ties in the energy and transport sectors," she said in an interview with Izvestia.

One of the largest projects of Russia and Iran is considered to be the North—South transport corridor, which is supposed to provide direct communication between the Russian Federation and the ports of the Indian Ocean through Iran and is capable of increasing the volume of traffic to $25-32 million by 2030. The construction of the Rasht—Astara railway will speed up cargo delivery by 30-40% compared to the route through the Suez Canal.

Energy cooperation is also important: in September, an agreement was signed on the construction of the Hormoz nuclear power plant in the province of Hormozgan worth $25 billion, which will strengthen the technological partnership between the countries.

Economic integration is also developing through the free trade zone between Iran and the EAEU, which opens up access to the Iranian market and stimulates mutual investments, strengthening Moscow's position as a key economic partner of Tehran.

According to Ravandi-Fadai, under the conditions of sanctions, it is projects such as the international North—South transport corridor and the participation of Russian companies in the development of the Iranian oil and gas sector that can receive additional impetus.

— It will not be easy to implement them quickly, there are difficulties and obstacles, — the orientalist added. — But the main thing is that there is political will on both sides and an understanding that only through joint efforts will Russia and Iran be able to effectively resist Western pressure.

Moscow and Tehran discuss the Syrian issue

In recent weeks, there has been a noticeable increase in diplomatic activity around Iran. Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council Ali Larijani visited Moscow on October 16, where he conveyed a personal message from Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei to Russian President Vladimir Putin. During the talks, prospects for bilateral relations, as well as regional and international cooperation were discussed. After returning to Tehran, Larijani met with the Russian President's special envoy for Syria, Alexander Lavrentiev, and the two sides exchanged views on the Middle East events.

As Russian Ambassador to Iran Alexey Dedov told Izvestia, the parties hold regular consultations on Syria and hold similar views on ways to resolve the conflict.

— Our countries hold regular consultations on Syria. The fundamental approaches to the Syrian settlement coincide. Both Russia and Iran, guided solely by the interests of the Syrian people, have consistently supported the sovereignty, territorial integrity and unity of the Syrian Arab Republic, launching the process of post—conflict reconstruction and solving economic problems," the diplomat stressed. — Together with our Iranian friends, we believe that all the pressing internal problems of Syria should be solved by the Syrians themselves through an inclusive dialogue involving all political, religious and ethnic groups.

According to him, it is necessary to consolidate international efforts to support the new Syrian authorities in overcoming the numerous challenges they face.

Syrian Interim President Ahmad al-Sharaa stated in an interview with the state-run Al Ikhbariya TV channel that relations with Iran are going through a difficult stage. He noted that "the wound turned out to be somewhat deeper than expected," but stressed that Damascus does not consider the situation as a "final rupture."

Harsh language is also avoided in Tehran. According to Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Ismail Bakai, "the rupture of relations between the two Islamic countries, linked by historical ties of friendship, will not be permanent." He stressed that Iran is in no hurry to return to Syria, but is ready to do so "when the Syrian leadership realizes that friendship with Tehran meets the interests of the Syrian people."

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According to Lana Rawandi-Fadai, despite the continuing contradictions between Tehran and the new Syrian authorities, Russia can play an important mediation role in restoring dialogue between the two countries. The expert notes that Iran would like to return to Syria, but so far it seems impossible — the new Syrian authorities are extremely hostile to Tehran.

"Russia can play an important, albeit unofficial, role in easing tensions between Iran and Israel,— Ravandi-Fadai said.

Iran has been a key ally of Damascus for many years. Since the beginning of the conflict in 2011, Tehran has provided military and economic support to the government of Bashar al-Assad. Now, after the change of power in Syria, the further development of Iranian-Syrian relations depends on whether the parties manage to overcome mutual distrust and find a new basis for cooperation.