Can Russia broker a new US-Iran deal?
Russia’s nuclear expertise, close ties with Tehran and negotiation experience could give Moscow an edge as a mediator.
Could Russia be the country to break the deadlock between Washington and Tehran on a new nuclear deal? A fresh analysis in Al Jazeera Opinion, by analyst Dmitri Trenin, argues that Moscow may be unusually well positioned to try. The case is sharpened by this week's visit to Iran by Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, who met Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and other senior officials, following two meetings between Pezeshkian and Russian President Vladimir Putin on October 8 and September 1.
The analysis notes media reports that Moscow has offered to mediate talks between the two sides, and lists what it sees as Russia's advantages: deep nuclear expertise — the state giant Rosatom leads the world's civilian nuclear energy field — familiarity with Iran's programme, and experience from past rounds of negotiations. It also points to much warmer bilateral ties, sealed in early 2025 by a Treaty on Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. Notably, the piece says Russia proposed a mutual military assistance clause for that treaty, but Tehran declined it.
According to the analysis, a successful mediation would be firmly in Russia's interest. Peace, it argues, would unlock Moscow's flagship logistical project, the International North-South Transport Corridor to India, which runs through Iran. At the same time, the author says, Moscow values its relations with the Arab Gulf monarchies and does not want to jeopardise them.
The piece also recalls that Russia sat at the original eight-party talks on Iran's nuclear programme. After the US withdrawal, it argues, Washington's options for interlocutors have narrowed to Russia and China, and it notes US President Donald Trump's mention of a possible unprecedented trilateral meeting with Putin and China's leadership.
Trenin cautions that it is too early to judge whether Moscow's effort will succeed. His conclusion is modest: this may not be the dawn of a new world order, but a Russian-brokered push could be, in his words, "a small step to balance wars with diplomacy".
Source: Al Jazeera English — TrendWire reports stories in its own words; facts should be confirmed against the original source.