‘Assad’s collapse brought Russia and Iran closer’

Islamabad : Dr Igor Matveev, Professor of International Business, Financial University, Moscow, has said the fall of Assad in Syria was a catalyst in bringing Russia and Iran to a treaty partnership.

Dr Matveev was speaking to an event related to Russia-Iran comprehensive strategic partnership organised here by Institute of Regional Studies (IRS). Dr Matveev presented Iranian version on Russian role in Syria. Iranians thought that Russia had compromised with Turkiye over Syria or paved the way for negotiations with Trump over Ukraine. He said that Tehran also believed that Russia had prioritised Libya over Syria. He clarified that there was no official partnership between Russia and Iran in Syria and that both the states were pursuing their own interests during the decade-long Syrian civil war.

While describing the nature of comprehensive strategic partnership between Russia and Iran, he mentioned that this treaty entailed diversified portfolios ranging from defense cooperation to economic collaboration between the two states. While it was too early to say that this partnership was either a “realpolitik agreement” or a “declarative act,” it was safe to assume that both Russia and Iran would prioritise their respective regions, ie, Ukraine and the Middle East.