Tehran, February 23,�The Iran Project�� Russian warplanes, which spearhead the war against ISIL, are fighting alongside pro-resistance forces in Syria. But as the current state of affairs behind the scene of war is always complicated, the discussion of whether Russia will stay the close ally of resistance axis in the tough�days is highly important in gaining a true understanding of the Syria regional crisis.

The several years of unrest in Syria, which led to a trans-regional armed conflict with the engagement of the terrorist elements backed by Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Qatar and USA, has shaped a resistance axis including Iran, Syria and Lebanon's Hezbollah.

Russia teaming up with the resistance axis principally formed a powerful bloc to confront the willing to reshape the Middle East map. The Moscow move, however, brought tensions with Saudi Arabia, Turkey and above all United States.

As the Russia-resistance axis alliance in Syria has emerged, some raised the question as to whether the partnership will survive in the long-term, considering the Kremlin's old tradition of fast-change positions. As the time passed by, nevertheless, President Putin's resolution and motive to keep Syria as an ally was unfolded.

Russia-Saudi Arabia deal to freeze oil output

As well as Syria, Iran, as a key ally to resistance axis, reopened a new chapter of ties with Russia particularly after the President Putin's visit to Tehran and his meeting with Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Khamanei in last November. Purchasing Russia's Sukhoi-30 fighter jets in order to bolster Iran's air force also came during the time that the strategic ties between Iran and Russia reached unprecedented levels.

Russia supply of S-300 missile defense system, and its proposal to sell S-400 missile system to Iran�whose radar sections had been already delivered to Iran, are among the other fruits of Russia partnership with resistance axis and Iran.

The Russia recent move, however, in Doha to agree with Saudi Arabia to freeze the oil output at a record level of January has produced distrust in Iranian side.

In a highly unusual pact which didn't include Iran, the world�s large oil producers such as Saudi Arabia, Russia, Qatar and Venezuela agreed to restrict output, proposing January 2015 level as the ceiling of the countries' production.

There seems to be a true message behind the surprise move in Doha and that is restricting Iran of recapturing its lost share during the years of sanctions in global markets.

Under the years of Western sanction against Iran, while the country's selling of oil hit one million barrels per day, other oil producers raised their output and caused significant drop in oil prices and now Iran is expected to pay the price.

All in all, the Moscow accord with Saudi Arabia to freeze oil output doesn't primarily seem a stab in resistance bloc's back. Yet, this can be perceived as a return to the tradition of fast-changing policy, in case the Russian move is coincided with other incidents such as delay in delivery of S-300 missile system or signing agreement with Saudi Arabia.