Iranian-Russian political and Military Relations 1989-2005

Abstract

The research talks about the nature of the Iranian-Russian relations during the period between 1997-2005, which includes the term of rule of each of the Iranian President Hashemi Rafsanjani for the period (1989-1997) and Muhammad Khatami for the period (1997-2005), as the most important agreements concluded between the two countries and the visits were clarified carried out by the officials of both countries to the other party, and increased Russian support for Iran in all fields, especially in the field of developing the Iranian nuclear program with the capabilities of Russian experts, as well as increasing and military cooperation between the two countries.            From the Russian perspective, Iran is considered a pivotal player and a key player in the Middle East, South Caucasus, Caspian Sea and Central Asia, which are vital files for Moscow. Tehran, with its strategic geographical location, also possesses one of the largest global gas reserves, at around 18%, and relatively controls navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, through which around 40% of the world’s oil supplies pass. Tehran also has a regional project that clashes with the interests of the West, especially the United States of America, which is in Russia’s interest. Iranian-Russian relations had witnessed the beginning of a new page between the two countries in the political and military fields during the term of Iranian President Hashemi Rafsanjani during the period (1989-1997). Iranian President Hashemi Rafsanjani’s visit to Moscow in June 1989 was a good start for political relations between the two countries, after his term witnessed the disintegration of the Soviet Union and the establishment of the Russian Federation in 1991. Therefore, distinguished relations between the two countries began during that period through reciprocal visits by officials from the two countries during which a number of agreements were signed. Thus, the rift between the two countries ended, and Iranian President Rafsanjani played a role in the process of restoring relations with Russia, as Iran’s interest required forgetting the past and opening up to neighboring countries, especially since Russia is a large country and has a permanent seat in the United Nations and its decisions have great weight in the UN Security Council.