Iran and Russia are forging closer ties as international isolation pushes the two arch-enemies of the United States toward more significant trade and military cooperation, and it is worrying Washington, Report informs via The Washington Post.
The Washington Post noted that in July, Iran was the largest buyer of Russian wheat. This month, Russia launched an Iranian satellite into space, a rare feat for Tehran's space program.
Last week, Iran's military held joint exercises with Russian forces as the United States says Moscow is preparing to buy Iranian drones for its war in Ukraine.
The war in Ukraine has brought Russia and Iran closer, which had been talking about closer ties with little results. The two nations oppose the US-led world order and suffer from harsh US sanctions. But until this year, their relationship has been complicated by conflicting agendas in Syria and Russia's historic role as the dominant power in Central Asia and the Caucasus.
The Washington Post said that a closer alliance between Russia and Iran would help both countries find new markets for their products and reduce the impact of Western sanctions by strengthening military cooperation.
Generally, bilateral trade between Russia and Iran increased by 10% this year. According to Russia, the trade turnover between the two countries increased by 80% and reached $4 billion in 2021.