In view of the GOP‘s violent reaction against the JCPOA (aka the Iran nuclear deal), the apparent close ties between Russia and Iran must be making them doubly uncomfortable, since about half the party seems to think Russia’s completely harmless and is even eligible to interfere in our elections. From Rohollah Faghihi in AL Monitor:
Rouhani first met with Russian Prime Minister Dmitri Medvedev. Following the meeting, Rouhani said, “There is no doubt that cooperation between [our] two countries positively impacts stability and security in the region and in the world.” Medvedev described the Iranian president’s visit as a significant step in the development of relations and said it can aid the development of deeper bilateral ties.
On March 28, Rouhani received an honorary degree from Moscow State University and addressed professors and students at a ceremony. “Resolving the issues of today’s world requires cooperation among scientists and governments,” Rouhani said, adding, “The decline of the West’s dominance and the end of the monopoly on wealth is a historic opportunity to build a new world.”
Noting that “there should be a global consensus to root out extremism and violence,” Iran’s president emphasized, “Islamophobia, racism and takfiri [jihadi] ideas have common roots.”
Note how he combines the roots of Islamophobia with takfiri. While the GOP might want to just shrug it off, it may make an impression on those outside of the GOP’s roost.
Also on March 28, Rouhani and Putin held “important” and “intensive” negotiations about regional and global issues as well as about the bilateral relationship. Referring to the 515 years of diplomatic ties between Tehran and Moscow, Putin said, “Iran is a good neighbor and a stable and reliable partner.”
On his part, Rouhani said, “The cooperation between Tehran and Moscow is not targeted at a third country.” He added, “Iran and Russia’s relations are being conducted to enhance stability in the region, and the main intention of the two countries is to strengthen regional peace and tranquility.”
In another year, a less incompetent and controversial Administration, this might get more attention. And it should. The Trump’s Administration’s ties to Russia has now made it an inadvertent, and probably exceptionally reluctant, ally of Iran. It may also put Trump on notice that Putin will not be pleased if he messes with Iran – and the general suspicion is that Putin has something on Trump.
