Xayal Muazzin: Tehran, Most Credible Partner for Moscow

Xayal Muazzin, journalist, says the trade and economic cooperation between Russia and Iran is on rise, despite the US sanctions.

Speaking in an exclusive interview with FNA, Mr. Muazzin said, “The main issue is to continue moving to trade in national currencies - rubles and rials. This way, Americans will not be able to influence the bilateral trade or interrupt the payment routes through restricting access to the SWIFT. China and Turkey are ready to join, making a bright future for this group of countries."

Xayal Muazzin is a Moscow-based broadcast journalist. He has been covering the Russian affairs, focusing on Russia-Iran relations.

Below is the full text of the interview:

Q: We have seen on numerous occasions that Russia has rendered increasing political support for Iran. Why do you think the Kremlin is backing up Iran, specially with regard to those policies that are against the US?

A: The Russian government does not share the US intentions regarding Iran. Unlike the White House, the Kremlin supports Iran and does not consider any actions of Iran as the cause of the instability in the Persian Gulf. Russia is building ever closer relations with Iran. It builds nuclear reactors throughout the country, and maintains close military and diplomatic ties; such as the same goal Russia and Iran share in Syria. Tehran, as the most credible partner for Moscow, has its rights supported by Russia at the international level.

Q: What are the practical steps Russia can take to counter the US sanctions?

A: Russia and Iran are facing unjust sanctions by the US. The illegal nature of the US sanctions and restrictions against Iran have worsened the situation. Though, there are measures to counter the sanctions. The main issue is to continue moving to trade in national currencies - rubles and rials. This way, Americans will not be able to influence the bilateral trade or interrupt the payment routes through restricting access to the SWIFT. China and Turkey are ready to join, making a bright future for this group of countries. Meanwhile, Trade and economic cooperation between Russia and Iran is currently on the rise after decades of stagnation. It should be noted that the further development of Russian-Iranian trade relations is guaranteed by the creation of the free trade zone between Iran and the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU), the agreement which was signed in Astana in 2018. The agreement is known to establish the basic rules of trade between the EAEU and Iran, as close as possible to the rules of the World Trade Organization (WTO). Thus, the trade and economic ties of Russia and Iran are on rise and this upward development will undoubtedly have a beneficial effect on the cooperation of Moscow and Tehran.

Q: Iran and Russia have had mutual interests and cooperation in areas of trade, the Caspian Sea and stability in the region, more specifically in Syria. Do you believe such cooperation would further expand in future?

A: The defense and military-technical cooperation of Iran and Russia strengthens the security of the two countries and the neighboring states. The level of cooperation and mutual understanding can be explained by the joint efforts of the two countries against international terrorism in the territory of the Syrian Arab Republic. This cooperation makes the policy of the West more predictable and adequate in the Middle East, Central Asia and North Africa. But, the roots of success are deeper. This is a consequence of the geopolitical turn of Russia to the East and parallel state ideas of the two countries about the future. It includes multipolar and conflict-free world order. The positions of Tehran and Moscow are similar on most international and regional issues: on the Iranian nuclear program, on the deployment of NATO troops in Eastern Europe and the instability caused by the US forces around the world.

Source: Fars