The widespread discourse in Western media regarding a covert nuclear deal between Iran and Russia has drawn global attention. Western allies suspect this potential deal could be the foundation for a Moscow-Tehran alliance with hidden military objectives. However, these claims lacked substantial evidence.
The Russia-Iran Strategic Partnership Agreement, signed and made public on January 17, 2025, clarified the nature of their cooperation, dispelling many of these allegations. The Russian-Iran nuclear deal dates back to the 1990s, and contrary to the Western perspective of secrecy, it is a transparent deal that works under a legal framework dedicated solely to peaceful uses. This decade-old nuclear partnership is based on mutual strategic, economic, and scientific interests. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) regularly monitors and inspects Iran’s nuclear program, ensuring compliance with regulations regarding nuclear material refinement.
The recent Iran-Russia nuclear deal is a comprehensive agreement, and two of its articles discuss peaceful cooperation in the nuclear domain. Moreover, the official Iranian stance is against the development of nuclear weapons based on their Supreme Leader and his ideas. The nuclear partnership is not as complex as it seems, but much Western suspicion brings complexity. Further, regional competition in the Middle East complicates the Iran-Russia nuclear deal. The arrangement is historically transparent and focused on peaceful use; however, it has global and regional implications. Russia’s strategic partnership further deepens its relations with the West and its allies.
Historical Nuclear Talks Between Russia and Iran
In 1992, Russia and Iran signed an agreement to build a two-unit nuclear power plant in Iran. This was a comprehensive agreement that included the construction and operation of the plant. In January 1995, Russia signed an agreement to work on existing structures at the Bushehr Nuclear Power Plant (BNPP) with a VVER-1000 unit. Unit 1 of this power plant was connected to the grid in 2011. Reactor 2 of the power plant is under construction. Uranium enrichment in Iran is limited to up to 60%, which is regarded for civilian use. Iran is a signatory of the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) monitors the activities of BNPP.
In 2013, the Interim Joint Plan of Action established in Geneva took action to limit Iran’s nuclear progress. IAEA enhanced its inspection of Iran’s nuclear program. Iran committed to curbing its Uranium enrichment by no more than 5%. This gave sanctions relief to Iran while maintaining international pressure. This served as the foundation of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) in 2015. It restricted Iran’s enrichment capacity to no more than 3.76%. Throughout this process, Russia played a significant role as a member of P5+1. Russia assisted Iran by providing diplomatic support and technical expertise and crafting a legal framework according to the non-proliferation regime. The United States of America withdrew from the JCPOA in 2018; it impacted the international non-proliferation regime. It created uncertainty among other signatories. The US re-imposed economic sanctions on Iran, which pushed Iran to seek alternative economic opportunities. IAEA still monitors Iran’s nuclear activities.
Strategic Significance of the Nuclear Program
Iran’s nuclear power plant is used to achieve energy security. Nuclear energy reduces dependence on oil and gas. It also protects the energy market from price fluctuations and global supply disruption. Domestic electricity production also reduces vulnerability to geopolitical tensions around the energy market. Moreover, nuclear energy is a cost-effective and reliable source that benefits Iran economically.
On the other hand, Russia was interested in nuclear cooperation with Iran. Russia gets economic benefits by exporting nuclear technology and expertise to Iran. Iran’s nuclear deal enhances Russia’s geopolitical status in the Middle East. It helps Russia to diversify its strategic partners. The scientific collaboration in research and development in the nuclear domain advances peaceful civilian uses of nuclear technologies.
Regional Concerns On The Iran-Russia Nuclear Deal
Despite assurances from Iran and Russia, regional and global concerns regarding their nuclear cooperation exist. At the regional level, the Middle East faces intra-regional competitions and historic rivalries. Gulf Arab states are concerned about Iran’s potential to attain nuclear weapons. After the US withdrawal from JCPOA, Gulf States have more concerns about Iran’s nuclear program. Further, Gulf States claim Iran’s role in fueling proxies in Yemen, Lebanon, and elsewhere in the Middle East. They wanted to limit Iran’s potential role in these proxies with the help of the US.
However, the JCPOA, which limited Iran’s enrichment, became less effective after the US withdrew from the agreement. While their apprehensions grew stronger, they insisted on reviving JCPOA as the least bad option. A collapsed JCPOA could prove to be catastrophic for the whole Middle East. Military strikes by the US or Israel can result in a regional disaster. The Gulf States were historically divided, but now pragmatism unites them to insist on US involvement in JCPOA. US disengagement mirrors their abandonment of Afghanistan, which haunts the Gulf States. According to regional states, renewed diplomacy by the US and a flawed JCPOA is better than an unchecked potential nuclear state.
Western Suspicion
West was alarmed by the deepening Russia-Iran strategic partnership and suspected potential nuclear collaboration over weapons. According to a report, Russia was speculated to share nuclear expertise with Iran in exchange for ballistic missiles. The report became a focal point of discussion at a Washington, D.C., summit in September 2024. UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and US President Joe Biden expressed concerns over the growing military ties between Tehran and Moscow. Iran’s enrichment of Uranium, which is attributed to its potential to develop nuclear weapons, increased the gravity of the situation. Western concerns about Russia’s ability to technically assist Iran’s nuclear ambitions. This potential alliance is perceived as a threat that could catalyze China and North Korea’s alliance against Western influence worldwide. In response, the West has increased its sanctions on Iran to curb missile supplies to Russia.
Iran’s Response
In response to Western suspicions and sanctions, Iran reassured the world of its peaceful purposes behind nuclear projects. In November 2024, Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Majid Takht-Ravanchi met with his European counterparts in Geneva. Iran previously proposed enriching Uranium at 60% purity as a confidence-building measure. However, the EU, UK, and US rejected the proposal despite Iran’s assurances of civilian use.
It was a significant meeting to break the two-year hiatus in talks. Iran uses diplomatic paths to revive the nuclear deal and decrease its sanctions. However, Iran has decreased its cooperation with the IAEA inspectorate and accused the West of politicizing the IAEA. Iran announced the advance of its centrifuges despite sanctions.
Overall, the Iran nuclear deal focuses on enhancing economic collaboration by increasing trade and investment. It also emphasizes energy cooperation on oil, gas, and nuclear energy for peaceful purposes.
Iran and Russia also vowed to enhance military cooperation through formal and informal means to ensure regional stability. Both countries will increase cultural and educational exchanges.
The two articles regarding nuclear cooperation in this agreement debunk the Western myths regarding Iranian nuclear ambition. Article 10 promotes nuclear non-proliferation and states, “The Contracting Parties shall cooperate closely on arms control, disarmament, non-proliferation, and international security issues within the framework of the relevant international treaties and international organizations to which they are parties…” Article 23 promotes nuclear cooperation for peaceful purposes and states, “The Contracting Parties shall promote the development of long-term and mutually beneficial relations to implement joint projects in the area of peaceful use of nuclear energy, including the construction of nuclear energy facilities.” Thus, Iran’s new partnership is also limited to the civilian use of nuclear technologies.
According to the legal framework, Russia and Iran’s nuclear cooperation has historically been for peaceful purposes. The story of cooperation began in the 1990s and became a comprehensive strategic partnership. Initially, the IAEA regularly monitored and inspected the Iranian nuclear program. The Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) in 2015 was signed by P+1 and Iran, which also ensured the restriction on uranium enrichment to a certain level. Russia played a significant diplomatic role in negotiating the JCPOA. However, the US withdrawal in 2018 weakened the agreement’s effectiveness, leading to the reimposition of sanctions on Iran. Regional states remain concerned about Iran’s nuclear ambitions and continue to seek US intervention.
Meanwhile, Western media and political discourse remain dominated by apprehensions over Iran’s nuclear intentions. While concerns persist, much of the skepticism appears to be rooted in geopolitical rivalries rather than concrete evidence of military ambitions. There is a certain rise in centrifuges in Iran that are used for uranium enrichment; however, Iran claims to be advancing its civilian program. Further, Iran is using different diplomatic pathways for confidence-building among European Union states. The recent Russia-Iran strategic partnership reinforces its claim of peaceful use of nuclear technology. This cycle of mistrust between the West, Russia, and Iran needs to be addressed to decrease regional and global tensions.
If you want to submit your articles and/or research papers, please visit the Submissions page.
To stay updated with the latest jobs, CSS news, internships, scholarships, and current affairs articles, join our Community Forum!
The views and opinions expressed in this article/paper are the author’s own and do not necessarily reflect the editorial position of Paradigm Shift.
