Even when anti-Iranian sanctions are lifted, Tehran will continue to develop its economic and strategic cooperation with Moscow, geopolitical analyst William Enghdal said.

After a final agreement on�the Iranian nuclear was struck and the US pledged to�lift its anti-Iranian sanctions within�several months, there have been numerous assumptions that Iran will abandon its Russia-friendly policy.

However, all those assumptions are groundless and there is no reasonable basis to�say that Iran would double-cross the great Russian bear, F. William Enghdal, prominent lecturer and geopolitical author, wrote in�his article for�New Eastern Outlook.

It is hardly possible that Iran will undermine Russia�s economic stability with�major oil and gas export deals, the expert believes.

He suggests taking a look at�what the consequences would be for�Iran to�directly undercut Russia�s oil and gas exports with�its own oil and gas.
"First of�all it would deliver Tehran to�the mercy of�the same West that imposed the sanctions," Enghdal explained.



Second, as�soon as�the sanctions are lifted Saudi Arabia and other countries that fulfilled the Iran oil export vacuum must expect to�lose the share they gained when Iran was banned from�selling oil. However, recently Russia and Saudi Arabia reached a number of�major agreements in�the nuclear energy and defense fields. Thus, Russian leader Vladimir Putin could play a mediating role in�the relations between�Saudi Arabia and Iran to�help avert a conflict over�the oil market share.

"Iran has nothing to�gain by�reckless actions and creating new enemies when its new American �friend� is hardly trustworthy," the analyst said.

He thinks that Moscow and Tehran would be able to�reach an agreement on�oil and gas market shares acceptable for�both countries.
"The other moderating factor is major new arms agreements and negotiations for�delivery of�past purchases once the sanctions are lifted. Those deals from�Tehran are with�Moscow so far and visibly not NATO countries of�the West," he added.


Moreover, Iran is currently interested in�the purchase of�advanced weapons and military hardware which could be delivered without�any preconditions or concessions, Enghdal.

This is why Iran intends to�buy Russian-made S-300 anti-aircraft missile systems as�well as�Russian jet fighters. The country also plans to�use Russian-produced rocket carriers to�launch its satellites into�orbit.

In view of�all this, Tehran is expected to�deepen its strategic ties with�Moscow, not to�deliberately make an economic enemy, Enghdal continued.

Another major reason that keeps Iran close to�Eurasia and not NATO is China�s Silk Road infrastructure project, according to�the analyst.

"For China, Iran�s geographical location and its topography make it a strategic partner for�developing the network of�overland infrastructure corridors crisscrossing Eurasia independent of�a potential confrontation with�the US Naval presence," he said.

According to�Iranian Deputy Economy Minister Massoud Karbasian, once the Silk Road is completed Iran will become a transit route for�over 12 million tons of�goods a year.

In addition, once the sanctions are lifted Iran has the right to�become a member of�the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO). Currently, Tehran has Observing Status, but�a decision on�its admission to�the SCO may be approved during�next year�s annual meeting.
"For Iran, fully cooperating with�this development, led by�China and Russia, is far more promising than�becoming a geopolitical pawn of�Washington in�economic or any other wars against�China and Russia," the author concluded.


By Sputnik