Iran Prepares for Putin’s Visit Amid Tensions and Historical Ties

Iran is preparing for a visit from Russian President Vladimir Putin. Announced by spokesperson Fatemeh Mohajerani, preparations are ongoing. Historically, Moscow and Tehran’s relationship has been both deep and complicated. Despite this partnership, concerns over military commitment persist. Additionally, The Moscow Times faces increasing restrictions and seeks reader support.

Iran is making arrangements for an upcoming visit by Russian President Vladimir Putin. According to an announcement from Iran’s government spokesperson, Fatemeh Mohajerani, reported by the Russian state news agency RIA on Monday, the preparations are actively underway. At this stage, there has been no response from the Kremlin regarding the visit.

This visit would not be the first for Putin to Tehran; he met with Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei during his prior trip in 2022. Notably, this visit marked his first journey beyond the former Soviet Union since the onset of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

The relationship between Moscow and Tehran has developed over centuries, dating back to the formal establishment of ties with the Persian Empire in the 16th century. However, there have been bumps along the way. For instance, while Moscow has procured arms from Iran to aid its military operations in Ukraine, it has concurrently constructed a 20-year strategic partnership deal with Tehran, as announced earlier this year.

Despite this partnership, Iranian officials have expressed concerns. They assert that while Russia often speaks with bravado, it is reticent about engaging deeply in Middle Eastern conflicts. This cautious approach persists even after Moscow’s significant military involvement in Syria, initiated in 2015.

Interestingly, unlike other international agreements, the strategic partnership between Iran and Russia does not encompass a mutual defense clause. This detail raises questions about the depth and reliability of their alliance.

In addition to these geopolitical dealings, The Moscow Times has issued a plea to its readers regarding the operational challenges it faces. As an independent journalistic outlet, it has received alarming designations from the Russian Prosecutor General’s Office, labelling it as “undesirable” and trying to curtail its reporting activities. They claim that their journalism “discredits the decisions of the Russian leadership,” a statement that challenges the organization’s commitment to unbiased reporting. The Moscow Times has appealed for support from their audience to persist in their mission amid these pressures.

In summary, preparations for President Putin’s visit to Iran signal a continued tightening of relations amid historical complexities. With Moscow seeking military support from Tehran and a longstanding, yet troubled, partnership, both sides appear cautiously optimistic. Nevertheless, the absence of a mutual defense clause complicates assurances of solidarity. Furthermore, The Moscow Times highlights its struggle against efforts to stifle independent journalism in Russia, making a case for continued support from its readership.

Original Source: www.themoscowtimes.com