Sputnik News- Iranian President Hassan Rouhani paid an official visit to Moscow on March 27-28 at the invitation of Russian President Vladimir Putin. During the visit, Rouhani met with Putin and Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev.

"The relations between�our two countries demonstrate the development of�our bilateral ties over�the past�year in�the context of�the economy and growth in�trade and tourism. The decisions which have been made in�the last several months show that we are moving toward�multifaceted development and strategic relations," Rouhani said Tuesday after�meeting with�Putin.

Russia is building a dialogue with�Iran as�the United States and Saudi Arabia attempt to�deepen bilateral ties. Tehran and Riyadh are locked in�a permanent conflict and this is why both Middle East countries desire a reliable foreign partner.

However, the rapprochement between�Saudi Arabia and the US recently stumbled over�a $6 billion lawsuit, re-launched against�Riyadh by�families who lost their relatives during�the 9/11 attacks.

The House of�Saud now faces a number of�potentially criminal charges, including funding terrorist training camps in�Afghanistan for�Al Qaeda militants, giving "critical logistical support" to�Al Qaeda globally, and "actively" rounding up�support for�Al Qaeda�s "final preparations for�the September 11th Attacks," according to�court papers.

The collective lawsuit was filed Monday by�over 800 victims� families with�the Manhattan Federal Court.

Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump met with�Saudi Deputy Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, believed to�be the leading lobbyist of�oil producing companies. Trump reaffirmed support for�developing a new US-Saudi program, undertaken by�joint working groups, and its initiatives, worth over $200 billion in�direct and indirect investments within�the next four years.

Money Talks

"The meeting today restored issues to�their right path and initiates a big change in�relations between�both countries in�terms of�political, military, security and economic issues," a senior adviser to�the Deputy Crown Prince was quoted as�saying by Reuters.
During the electoral campaign in�the US, Saudi Arabia was among�the countries criticized by�Trump. In an interview with�the New York Times, Trump said: "We protect countries, and take tremendous monetary hits protecting countries. That would include Saudi Arabia, but�it would include many other countries, as�you know. We lose monetarily, everywhere."


"Without us, Saudi Arabia wouldn�t exist for�very long. It would be, you know, a catastrophic failure without�our protection," he added.

Of course, Riyadh was concerned about�the future of�its relations with�Washington under�Trump. However, finally economic interests prevailed despite�populist rhetoric.

Furthermore, US-Saudi relations have been complicated by�the 2016 Justice Against Sponsors of�Terrorism Act (JASTA). The law eliminates immunity for�foreign governments in�the US from�potential lawsuits, permitting civil suits to�advance in�US courts if a state is believed to�have aided in�a terror attack against�the US.

The bill was passed by�Congress in�late September, overriding a veto from�then-President Barack Obama. This was the only presidential veto override of�the Obama administration. The new administration will have to�deal with�this sore spot in�Washington-Riyadh relations.

Bound to�Be Friends

The US and Saudi Arabia have to�repair their relations not only because of�mutual economic interests, but�also due to�the fact that their common rival, Iran, is growing its influence in�the Middle East.

In addition, after�international sanctions were lifted, Tehran has been actively conquering new markets for�its oil and gas products.

According to�a recent article in�the Wall Street Journal, Saudi Arabia is losing its leading positions in�major markets to�other oil producers, including Iran.
"In this situation, Moscow is the most optimal partner for�Iran. There are no political or economic obstacles for�bilateral cooperation. This is why Moscow-Tehran cooperation stands out�compared to�Washington-Riyadh relations," political analyst Andrey Veselov wrote in�a piece for�RIA Novosti.