Russia and Iran’s Nuclear Program

Abstract
The article examines the nature, position and scope of action of Russia over the ten-year conflict of Iran's nuclear program. Although, the position of this country has been associated with changes in this period, it has always tried to maintain its benefits from both sides of the struggle; Iran and the West, simultaneously, by taking a middle position.  These positions, despite some advantages had shortcomings where Russia's role had become too dependent on its relationship with America as the most important one. Therefore, despite Kremlin's claim to have an independent role in a complex environment, the role it played was not more than a passive act in a framework constructed by the United States. Due to this dependence, Moscow's awareness of the overall goals of the pressures on Tehran's nuclear program, which is an attempt to accommodate Iran with the long-term expansionism of Washington in the Middle East, which has not entered the "practical" text of its policy. This approach has had no practical impact on solving Iran's nuclear issue and has not accrued tangible benefits to Moscow. It was also against Moscow's claimed principles, an "independent superpower" which also opposes America's expansionism.

Keywords: Iran's Nuclear Program, Russia, America, Great Power, Independent Play, Greater Middle East

By: Alireza Noori
Source: Discourse: An Iranian Quarterly, Vol. 11, Nos. 1-2, Fall 2013-Winter 2014.
Fulltext in: http://en.cmess.ir/default.aspx?tabid=73&ArticleId=616