Raisi's visit to Russia began with widespread publicity about a "turning point" in Iran-Russia relations and the signing of a 20-year strategic cooperation document between the two countries or the possibility of approving a $10 billion arms deal to buy 24 Sukhoi Su-35 and two S-400 missile systems, but in the end, it turned out that this trip did not have a tangible achievement. The signing of the 20-year strategic cooperation document was not on the agenda, and the fact became clear that Iran is still recognized as an observer member of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), and previous government reports about Iran's full and official membership in the organization were false. The cold reception of the president and the meeting with Putin in that special setting, at a distance of a few meters, the refusal to raise the flag and to execute the customary ceremonies at such meetings were very humiliating.
The Islamic Republic of Iran views Russia as a strategic ally and wants to pursue a policy of antagonism with the United States by forming a triangle of Russia, China, and Iran, and by conducting joint military maneuvers and gaining broad political, diplomatic, and especially economic and trade support, to have a leverage of balancing against the West. Russia's view of Iran is not strategic and has a balancing and tactical framework. Russia and China use Iran as a playing card against Europe and the United States. They do not want to support the Islamic Republic at any cost. Russia and China's alliance with the Islamic Republic is nothing more than a lie. Raisi’s government and the entire regime in Iran have believed in this lie, as if China and Russia were two allies and supporters of the Islamic Republic.
Having a friendly and balanced relationship with our neighbors and world powers is the need for progress and development of any country in the current intertwined world. But what the Islamic Republic intends to do with Russia and China, and the strategy it pursues in these relations, has little to do with a balanced relationship. "Looking to the East" in the dictionary of the supreme leader of the Islamic Republic and his “appointed” government is nothing but a unilateral reliance on the "East" or in fact Russia and China against the United States and Europe and an illusory investment in the discords between the two. It is not in vain that in the recent nuclear negotiations, instead of direct negotiations with the United States, it is in fact the representative of Russia, who negotiates with the United States on behalf of the delegation of the Islamic Republic and informs the regime's delegation about the outcome of the negotiations.
"Looking to the East" is based on the illusion of a bipolar world, and the Islamic Republic, by dividing the world powers into good and evil, seeks a foothold in this partly imaginary world. The Iran-Russia Cooperation Document, signed in 2001, was originally a ten-year Cooperation Document and has been extended twice for five years. Attempt to turn this document into a comprehensive strategic agreement with Russia is a dream that was not fulfilled during Raisi’s visit, just as the signing of a 25-year memorandum of understanding with China, without its terms being known even to the regime's own parliament, is part of the plans the supreme leader of the Islamic Republic and his obedient government have prepared for the country. They consider themselves the owners of this country. The regime considers the people as nothing and sees no need to keep them informed of the terms of the memorandum that deals with their fate.
Relations between governments, conclusion of transparent political, economic, and cultural agreements that ensure the interests of the country are inevitable and necessary in relations between countries and require mutual cooperation of any country in the world today. But publicity and knowledge of legal institutions and public opinion about the provisions of these contracts are the first conditions for judging any action in this area. The Islamic Republic has not only blocked transparent information in society, it is also unwilling to reveal what it has agreed on in any agreement. It is still unclear what areas the memorandum signed with the Chinese government for 25 years covers. It is now seeking a comprehensive strategic agreement with Russia.
The Left Party of Iran (People's Fadaian) considers the policy of "looking to the East" of the Islamic Republic, unilateral reliance on Russia and China and the continuation of enmity with the West and the United States against the interests of the country and the people of Iran. In our opinion, the secret agreements of the Islamic Republic do not provide the interests, welfare and security of the Iranian people and the independence of the country and are invalid. We believe that the hostile and convulsive foreign policy of the Islamic Republic during the last 43 years, has resulted in nothing but elimination of the country's development opportunities, international isolation, and tension in relations with neighbors and other countries. We oppose polarization in international relations, division of countries and nations into friend and foe, and consider a balanced and mutual relationship with all countries vital to the national interests of the country.
Political-Executive Board of the Left Party of Iran (People’s Fadaian)
January 22, 2022
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