https://sputniknews.in/20231015/could-russias-military-cooperation-with-iran-alter-global-geopolitics-4814031.html
Could Russia's Military Cooperation With Iran Alter Global Geopolitics?
Could Russia's Military Cooperation With Iran Alter Global Geopolitics?
Sputnik India
Growing Russia-Iran bonhomie in the defence sector has the potential to change the landscape of global politics, particularly of the Middle Eastern region, two strategic affairs pundits have said.
2023-10-15T17:28+0530
2023-10-15T17:28+0530
2023-10-15T17:28+0530
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Growing Russia-Iran bonhomie in the defence sector has the potential to change the landscape of global politics, particularly of the Middle Eastern region, two strategic affairs pundits have said.The remarks of military veterans, Major General (Retd.) Shashi Bhushan Asthana and Lieutenant-Colonel J.S. Sodhi came in the wake of Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu's recent visit to the Islamic Republic, where pictures of his visit to an Iranian drone manufacturing unit went viral on the Internet.Subsequently, Shoigu emphasised that Russia-Iran ties have touched great heights and both countries were now looking at partnering in newer areas, including defence.Commonalities Between Moscow and TehranIn this context, Asthana stated that the way geopolitics in the Middle East and Eurasia has emerged after the conflict in Ukraine, there were a few commonalities between Tehran and Moscow.According to him, Russia and Iran both are heavily sanctioned by the West. Plus, Tehran also continues to be targeted with other embargoes by the US in particular and the West in general.Moreover, he pointed out that there were not many countries that could give military hardware to Russia due to Western-imposed sanctions on Moscow and other geopolitical compulsions.Interdependence Between the Islamic Republic and the Eurasian StateHence, he suggested that there was an interdependence between Russia and Iran as far as defence relations are concerned.Therefore, the international relations analyst opined that both can support each other and since both are already under economic sanctions, they need not fear restrictions anymore because the worst is behind them.Economic Isolation Drawing Iran, Russia CloserIndian military veteran Sodhi reasoned that the main factor binding the Moscow-Tehran friendship was their isolation and the economic sanctions forced on them by America and the West.Sodhi also said that Tehran's purchase of Russian fighter jets would boost its Iran's air force.Beneficial PartnershipBesides, a just some Iranian military hardware and drones would help Russia in continuing its operations in Ukraine because Kiev was supported to the hilt with weapons and financial aid by the West, Asthana mentioned.Reportedly, Iran has an obvious interest in acquiring Su-35 fighter jets from Russia.Su-35 Fighter Jets to Pose Bigger Challenge to Israel, USThe New Delhi-based defence specialist also remarked that Iranian airpower was weaker than most countries in the region, and is in need of beefing up that segment.Further, sharing his views on how this development could impact the cultivation of relations between Tehran and Riyadh, Asthana said that although it seems that they have cemented their ties for the better, their internal rivalry remains because the kingdom continues to be the hub of Sunni Islam whereas Iran continues to back the Shias.Saudi-Iran Differences Remain Hence, he elaborated, that the supply of such a quantum of aircraft to Iran from Russia would impact the balance of power between Iran and Saudi Arabia as these warplanes would enhance Tehran's military power."This could also result in an arms race between the two Islamic countries because if Iran purchased modern aircraft from Russia, the Saudi monarchy would also acquire high-end weapons from Western sources," Asthana asserted.
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Could Russia's Military Cooperation With Iran Alter Global Geopolitics?
With Russia and Iran facing the brunt of Western-imposed economic sanctions, the two nations are now expanding their military cooperation. Sputnik India examines what would happen if this development intensifies.
Growing Russia-Iran bonhomie in the defence sector has the potential to change the landscape of global politics, particularly of the Middle Eastern region, two strategic affairs pundits have said.
The remarks of military veterans, Major General (Retd.) Shashi Bhushan Asthana and Lieutenant-Colonel J.S. Sodhi came in the wake of Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu's recent visit to the Islamic Republic, where pictures of his visit to an Iranian drone manufacturing unit went viral on the Internet.
Subsequently, Shoigu emphasised that Russia-Iran ties have touched great heights and both countries were now looking at
partnering in newer areas, including defence.
Commonalities Between Moscow and Tehran
In this context, Asthana stated that the way geopolitics in the Middle East and Eurasia has emerged after the conflict in Ukraine, there were a few commonalities between Tehran and Moscow.
According to him, Russia and Iran both are heavily sanctioned by the West. Plus, Tehran also continues to be targeted with other embargoes by the US in particular and
the West in general.
"Also, Israeli allegations of Iran's involvement in conflicts around it, including the recent Hamas attack on the Jewish state, makes it difficult for the West to normalize relations with Tehran," Asthana has told Sputnik India.
Moreover, he pointed out that there were not many countries that could give military hardware to Russia due to Western-imposed sanctions on Moscow and other geopolitical compulsions.
Interdependence Between the Islamic Republic and the Eurasian State
Hence, he suggested that there was an interdependence between Russia and Iran as far as defence relations are concerned.
"Similarly, Russia by being the world's second-largest supplier of arms and ammunition, was in a position to supply a fair amount of military equipment which Iran wants in terms of combat aircraft and things like that," Asthana underlined.
Therefore, the international relations analyst opined that both can support each other and since both are already under economic sanctions, they need not fear restrictions anymore because the worst is behind them.
Economic Isolation Drawing Iran, Russia Closer
Indian military veteran Sodhi reasoned that the main factor binding the Moscow-Tehran friendship
was their isolation and the economic sanctions forced on them by America and the West.
"The core factor behind their friendship is the changing geopolitical landscape in which Washington's dominance as a superpower is being challenged," he said in an interaction with Sputnik India.
Sodhi also said that Tehran's purchase of Russian fighter jets would boost its Iran's air force.
"But with Iran's clout growing in the economic and military arenas, it now wanted to modernize its air force, and hence with the induction of the Russian Su-35, the
combat potential of the Iranian Air Force will increase tremendously," he summed up.
Besides, a just some Iranian military hardware and drones would help Russia in
continuing its operations in Ukraine because Kiev was supported to the hilt with weapons and financial aid by the West, Asthana mentioned.
On the other hand, Asthana said that Iran also benefits from the purchase of fighter jets from Russia. This would be a huge boost to Iran's airpower, which is quite weak compared to other powers like Israel and Saudi Arabia in the Middle East, the pundit added.
Reportedly, Iran has an obvious interest in acquiring Su-35 fighter jets from Russia.
Su-35 Fighter Jets to Pose Bigger Challenge to Israel, US
"If Iran procures combat planes from Russia, its military capability will increase manifold and it would be able to pose a far bigger challenge to Israel and US interests in West Asia," Asthana noted.
The New Delhi-based defence specialist also remarked that Iranian airpower was weaker than most countries in the region, and is in need of beefing up that segment.
Further, sharing his views on how this development could impact the cultivation of relations between Tehran and Riyadh, Asthana said that although it seems that they
have cemented their ties for the better, their internal rivalry remains because the kingdom continues to be the hub of Sunni Islam whereas Iran continues to back the Shias.
Saudi-Iran Differences Remain
"Despite the recent bonhomie, the fundamental differences between Riyadh and Tehran remain. For instance, Saudi Arabia is warming to Israel and seeking security guarantees from the US while Iran has to stand on its own," Asthana explained.
Hence, he elaborated, that the supply of such a
quantum of aircraft to Iran from Russia would impact the balance of power between Iran and Saudi Arabia as these warplanes would enhance Tehran's military power.
"This could also result in an arms race between the two Islamic countries because if Iran purchased modern aircraft from Russia, the Saudi monarchy would also acquire high-end weapons from Western sources," Asthana asserted.
