Link to Article: Iranian president pledges deeper ties with Moscow, state media says | Reuters
Iran’s president committed to creating stronger ties with Russia to counter the Western sanctions. Russian security official, Sergei Shoigu, also visited with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and plans to develop relationships with both countries. The U.S. finds both countries hostile and worries they are supplying Russia with missiles to continue aggression towards Ukraine. These visits occurred at a crucial time during the war, as Ukraine pushed for Western help to strike deeper into Russia. Iran denies sending any missiles to Russia, yet Moscow and Tehran are reported to soon sign a major strategic partnership.
Both Russia and Iran are faced with sanctions, and by working together, they could reduce the effects of them. If Iran and North Korea do supply missiles or other equipment to Russia, it would help boost their military to continue its war on Ukraine. Russia already continues to lead with full force in Ukraine, and an alliance between these countries will help strengthen and continue its aggression, escalating the war, and making it harder for Ukraine to defend itself. The U.S. and our allies also need to prepare for the effects of the two countries, as it could lead to future conflict in Ukraine along with other NATO states.
Though Iran has turned down all allegations of sending military supplies so far, I believe that a partnership could lead to that kind of relationship in the future of the war. Iran should be prepared for new sanctions from the U.S. and the EU if they continue with Russia. And since the security threat they hold, Ukraine and other involved nations should be prepared to take more defensive measures and support from allied nations. I think because Russia, Iran, and North Korea don’t hold good relations with Western Europe and the U.S., the US should be prepared to support our allies in Europe who may be directly affected by the partnership, and even for the possibility of getting pulled into a war.
Russia and Iran are both global actors who hold global influence, and the possibility of an alliance between them could create more global challenges through the Russia-Ukraine war. Though Ukraine isn’t part of NATO, a Military Intergovernmental Organization (IGO), it still has their support by helping defend its sovereignty, or its right to manage its foreign affairs and hold international recognition. I think the war could end up escalating more with the help of Iran and North Korea and could even reach an invasion of other border countries. If an invasion did occur in a border state in NATO, with the belief that an attack on one is an attack on all, more states including the U.S. could get involved.