Iran is struggling for friends in the international community at the moment. Its nuclear ambitions and hard-line approach towards domestic issues as well stringent international affairs have forced several nations to withdraw their support for its uranium enrichment
But, Russia is one of those chosen few who sympathizes with Iran but that sympathy could all ebb away should potential assassination attempts on Russian President Vladimir Putin be confirmed.
Mr. Putin was expected to visit Iran’s capital Teheran on Monday evening but the proposed move has been rendered in tatters in the wake of breaking news that an assassination plot has been hatched in Teheran. The Russian security officials have said that Iran itself is not into the plot but are reluctant to let the Russian leader go ahead with the meeting.
In this context, it would be strange to note that when Joseph Stalin visited Iran in 1943, threats of assassination also hung over him like huge darks cloud. But the supposed plot never materialized and Stalin returned unharmed.
But, the Russian government is not sure about the situation now. Mr. Putin has been reported to have been the targets of assassination plots twice in the past 7 years.
The Teheran officials are of course not happy with the reports. Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad knows that Russia, which has consistently opposed US proposals for international sanctions on Iran, is a key ally in its cause to continue its nuclear ambitions. The very recently discerned reports of an assassination attempt on Mr. Putin in Teheran hardly does any good to Mr. Ahmadinejad’s reputation of being unable to combat extremism and terrorism in his nation.
The reports have thrown Mr. Putin’s visit to the Iran in uncertainty. More importantly, it has somewhat decimated the relationship that exists between Russia and Iran.
While the Kremlin has nothing to lose should Mr. Putin’s visit be called off, Iran’s credentials in the international arena would suffer a huge blow.
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Source: Reuters
