The history of Iran and Russia's relarionships

2006-03-27T11:14:00.000+03:30

With situation that Iran has nowadays with its nuclear dossier, lots of analysts say that the only way for Iran's government is to accept Russia's suggestion. But what was the role of Russia in Iran's history? Some of Iranians think that Russia has been worse than USA to Iran. So how they will trust this old neighbor again? The history of these two neighbors is full of invasion and deceit…
This is a very short paper I wrote for Mainichi newspaper to review two centuries of Iran and Russia's history very fast.

The history of Iran and Russia's relations
"Make Iranian society as ill as no medicine can cure it" this is the sentence that most Iranians remember when you ask them about Russia's policies in Iran. In fact, this sentence is from the Testament of Peter the great, who advised Russians to "reach the warm waters of the Pacific in the south" which meant to control Iran as the best way to reach India. This policy during the history of two nations, still makes distrust between people and politicians.
Russia's policies in Iran are sometimes Paradoxical, sometimes it is a big friend and sometimes it changes the borders of Iran and occupies some regions for a long time. After the battles between two countries and Iran's defeat in 1813, Russia forced Iran to sign a treaty in which the present Azerbaijan was separated from Iran. These battles had a great impact on Iranian soul and still some of them think that these regions should return to Iran.
After the soviet revolution in 1917, Lenin had a good attitude about all oppressed societies, also Iran. So in 1921 Lenin agreed to sign a treaty to nullify some of the forcibly policies in Iran. But nothing has said about those separated regions, but some other things like Capitulation changed and Iran's sailing right in Caspian Sea was given back to Iran.
In 1927, Iran and Russia signed another treaty not to participate in any military or political action against each other. This treaty is the one which Soviet Union used against Iran about its military contracts with the United States.
In 1940, both countries agreed to accept the right of the other one for free sailing in the Caspian Sea. They also agreed that no other foreign country has the right to sail in this sea.
But after the coup in 1953, suddenly the US appeared in political scene of Iran. In 1959 Iran and the US signed a contract for military equipment. But in 1962 during a speech "Shah", the king of Iran, said that he wouldn't allow any country to do anything against the Soviet Union.
Although three espionage radars were placed in the north of Iran by Americans but officially "Shah" didn't want any problem in relations of two countries.
In 1966, a contract signed between Iran and Russia about melting iron industry. In 1970, "shah" accepted to sell gas to Russia.
Shah also wanted to buy some military equipment that they were more improved in the east bloke, so he bought Catusha and earth to air rackets from Russia.
In 1960's The Soviet Union became a major contributor to the creation of Iran's heavy industry.
After 1979 Iranian revolution, which proved an insurmountable ideological obstacle to the continuance of political and economic relations, Russia's occupation of Afghanistan and Iran's backing of anti-Soviet Afghan mujahideen groups worsened these relations, leading the Soviet Union to turn to Iraq, which was then at war with Iran. The Soviet Union became Iraq's main supplier of weapons. It was not until 1987 that the Soviet Union shifted to a more balanced policy and began the gradual process of improvement of Iranian-Soviet relations. The two countries' conclusion of a variety of economic agreements and a major military one put them on a friendly path in 1989, a year after the end of Iran-Iraq war.
economic ties have expanded significantly as political and economic realities have made Iran and Russia "natural" partners. Various economic sanctions or restrictions on Iran stemming from its isolation have limited its international trade partners. When it comes to satisfying Iran's needs in heavy and advanced industrial equipment and in sophisticated weapons, China and Russia have become the only available trade partners. Meanwhile, Russia, having lost its Soviet-bloc market and having failed to penetrate many others, is faced with a growing need for hard currency that makes Iran an attractive and indispensable economic partner. The two sides' similar viewpoint on many regional and international issues has created a suitable political ground for their growing economic relations.
Russia's bid to improve ties with the United States in the 1990s made it accept some restrictions on military and non-military nuclear exports to Iran. According to a 1995 agreement between then Russian presidents Boris Yeltsin and then US president Bill Clinton, Russia agreed to stop selling conventional weapons to Iran beyond those already under contract. Also, the United States has continued to pressure Russia to stop helping Iran with its nuclear power projects. Russia's recent improving ties with NATO and its accession to G8 membership - as well as its interest in joining the World Trade Organization (WTO) - are expected to create a strong stake for the Russians to meet the American request regarding its ties with Iran.
The most important thing in recent relations between two countries was the contract between Iran and Russia in 1995 about Bushehr nuclear facilities. Despite all scientific cooperation in Bushehr, Russia had not given Iran any fuel yet.
After recent presidential elections in Iran and referral to UN Security Council, Russia's plan to enrich uranium in Russia and the taking back the waste from Iran seems to be only way for Iran to get rid of international sanctions.
But again Iranians have doubt to accept this or not? There is a historical background… is Russia our friend or foe?

a journalist from Iran

The history of Iran and Russia's relarionships