TEHRAN-TABNAK, Jan 19 –Nader Entessar, Professor Emeritus of Political Science from university of South Alabama says that new agreement with Russia not prevent Iran from improving relations with the West.
“Considering President Pezeshkian's overtures to the West and his repeated statements about his readiness to turn a new page in Iran's relations with the United States, the new agreement with Russia should not be viewed as a negative move to improve Iran's relations with the West,” Entessar told TABNAK News Agency.
Following is the full text of interview with Professor Entessar:
Q: Iran and Russia signed a long-term cooperation agreement. What message do you think this agreement sends to the Trump administration?
A: Considering President Pezeshkian's overtures to the West and his repeated statements about his readiness to turn a new page in Iran's relations with the United States, the new agreement with Russia should not be viewed as a negative move to improve Iran's relations with the West. If there is any message to Trump, it is that Iran intends to maintain a balanced relationship with its neighbors, including Russia, as well as with the West. In other words, having good relations with Russia does not preclude normal relations with the West, including the United States.
Q: The agreement does not include a “Collective Defense” article. This means that this agreement is not similar to the agreements Russia has with North Korea and Belarus. Some believe that the absence of such an article does not block the way for Iran to improve relations with the West and the United States. What is your assessment?
A: I agree with this assessment. One of the most notable elements of the Iran-Russia agreement is the absence of a collective defense agreement. This is a clear signal that Iran intends to preserve its independent defense posture and not get embroiled in military disputes and defense that do not directly threaten its national security and territorial integrity.
Q: Why is such an agreement important for Russia at the moment?
A: This agreement is important for Russia for several reasons given Moscow's current relative isolation, opening more business and trade routes, and enhancing its relations with and presence in Central Asia, the Caucasus, and the broader Middle East.
Q: Given the possibility of an agreement between Putin and Trump, what will be the future of Russia’s agreement with Iran if Russia’s relations with the United States improve? Will this agreement be affected by such variables?
A: If Iran-US relations deteriorate or do not improve during Trump's second term and Putin and Trump forge closer relationships, then the Iran-Russia cooperation agreement will be affected negatively. In other words, there are several external developments, including Washington-Moscow ties, that may affect the recent Iran-Russia agreement.
Q: Currently, some argue about the convergence of Iran, Russia, and China, and consider it a bloc against the liberal order. Has this convergence reached a level of depth that such a goal can be imagined for it? For example, has the relationship between China and the West been damaged to the extent that it wants to confront the global order?
A: My short answer is no and no. Russia, China, and Iran indeed have certain common interests in enhancing the development of a durable multipolar world order, but there is no solid bloc against what has been referred to as the "liberal order." Besides, the liberal order itself is gradually turning into an "illiberal order" due to its own deficiencies and internal contradictions. Furthermore, unless Trump decides to ratchet up US tensions with China to an unacceptable level, the relationship between Washington and Beijing will not change drastically during Trump's second term, and China and the US will manage their differences.
