How friends are substituted

The thunder of the drums was heard from the very first day: the Russian media celebrated the appearance, as they said , "Russian air base in Iran." Six Tu-22M3 from the 200th Guards heavy bombardment aircraft regiment from under Irkutsk firmly, as it seemed, from August 15 settled at the 3rd Tactical Basis of the Iran of the Iran Hamedan Shahid Noi (it was simply called Hamedan for brevity). Su-34 and raids on targets in Syria began a little later and the Su-34 later.

But after a week, for some reason, not only the raids ended, but also the aircraft flew from Hamedan on August 22. Moreover, to the accompaniment of statements by Iranian officials about “deceived trust” and “boasting and the poserity of the Russian side”, trying to expose himself to an important player in the Middle East. It sounded actually quite offensive. Strange, but the unbending Midowka Zakharova, a specialist in protecting the dignity of Russia with the help of risky phraseology, swallowed an insult. At least, neither Zakharov nor Smolensk Square as a whole burst out any protective Philippics.

Why did it happen at all? Why are Russian planes, will we be frank, they flooded from Iran? Yes, because it seems that the arrogant neglect of the interests of others, which the Kremlin seems to consider itself full right, in the world is generally not forgiven, and even more so in the east. The Kremlin was tritely punished that he set up his situational ally.

Judge for yourself. According to the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Iran, the deployment of foreign troops and military facilities in the country is prohibited. Perhaps the Kremlin strategists who did not see the difference between the Sunnis and Shiites believed that this constitutional ban does not matter for the Iranian government-but in Tehran they know that it is extremely undesirable to quarrel to quarrel the country's government. So the high-profile reports of Moscow about the “Russian air base” put Tehran in a very difficult situation, officials had to maneuver, proving that the Russians did not have the right to the base, so they landed to refuel.

And here it would be Kremlin, and they climbed to prove their significance and close friendship with the Iranians to the whole world - if the placement of Russian bombers is extremely beneficial to Iran, as it gives valuable experience in sharing bombers. "How, how do you say? Experience?" - The same hour from several world capitals sounded. And the fate of the unfavorable was seemed to be decided.

A thin raid of diplomacy disappears, the Minister of Defense of Iran speaks in Maria Zakharova, and Russian bombers return home

Because from Iran, if you have not forgotten, only recently lifted the sanctions imposed a decade ago due to a nuclear program-this was a kind of "nuclear deal" between Iran and the five control countries, including Russia. The sanctions were removed by a resolution of the UN Security Council number 2231 , in which there are two interesting provisions. Firstly: for the re-introduction of sanctions in case of a violation of the provisions of the "nuclear transaction" of a new coordination, the provisions of the "nuclear transaction" revealed, they will resume automatically in fact. And the second interesting situation lies in paragraph 4 of the Appendix “B“ to the resolution, which states that the provision of Iran (note, it is important - “direct or indirectly ...”) “access to technologies that can contribute to the creation of nuclear weapons delivery, other ballistic missiles”, without the UN sanction, is prohibited.

So you talked there about the invaluable experience that the Iranians receive as a result of joint use at the Hamedan airbase capable of delivering nuclear weapons of Russian bombers? Can I do more from this place in more detail: the Iranians will definitely not recognize anything that will help them create means of delivery of nuclear weapons? And now the US State Department diplomatically declares: what is happening around Russian aircraft in Hamedan is, of course, not directly prohibited supply of weapons, but something "more complicated". Which, however, must be investigated for violations of agreements. What difference does it make - simple, complex, if the result can be sanctions again?!

Whatever the Russian press, the relations between Iran and Russia about Syria and, in general, are quite far from a harmonious symphony, distrust between the parties great. Iranians suspect the Kremlin in attempts to negotiate with the White House. The list of Russian claims is also impressive: the Iranians promised to buy a "dry superjet" - they threw it, bought Boeing instead of Russian aircraft; For the S-300, money still does not come; The Tehran promised to take the T-90 tanks hundreds, and now they talk about some supposedly their “Karar” tank, in the device of which the French features are suspiciously ... Where is the money, Zin?!

In general, there are enough grounds for mutual discontent. And then the Kremlin journalists begin to sing songs about airbase and invaluable experience. Well, how in such a situation to the Ayatolles in Tehran to get rid of the suspicion that potentially catastrophic Russian statements are not part of the Jesuit plan of Moscow, aimed at punishing Iran for an uncompromising line to defend their interests? Well, aren't the children Shaitan, such devilish games with honest Iran play, so to substitute allies?

And what in this case will you order Tehran to do? A thin raid of diplomacy disappears, the Minister of Defense of Iran speaks in Maria Zakharova, and Russian bombers return home. And it doesn’t matter that Moscow simply - as usual - did not think exactly how their word would respond, allowing to show off before the audience of Channel One and the world leaders in anticipation of the twenty summit.

Igor Sutyan-London Military-Political Expert