Iran's Moscow Embrace: What Else Was Tehran Supposed to Do?
The story focuses on Iran's 'reliability concerns' regarding Russia, implying Tehran's alignment is purely ideological. Yet, for decades, comprehensive U.S. sanctions crippled Iran's economy and blocked access to Western markets. Remember when the US unilaterally withdrew from the JCPOA in 2018, despite Iran's compliance, only to ratchet up 'maximum pressure'? (Source: Associated Press, May 8,
2018). What exactly did Washington expect Iran to do—partner with Sweden? It appears Al-Monitor would prefer we ignore the geopolitical consequences of economic strangulation. Naturally, when one global superpower declares you an enemy state and imposes a financial blockade, you tend to seek partners elsewhere. Is it really 'pushing closer' or simply exercising the only viable option left after
years of Western hostility? Perhaps the 'internal rifts' are less about Russia's quirks and more about the collective 'rift' caused by global isolation tactics.