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An interview of Irdiplomacy.ir with Dr. Elaheh Koolaee, a professor at Tehran University

- In your opinion, to what extent have the ninth and tenth administrations been successful in the area of foreign policy? How would you assess the track record of these administrations in foreign policy?

- Just as in the area of domestic policy, we have witnessed the loss of countless opportunities in the field of our country’s foreign policy during the last eight years. The denial of experience and the minimalization of the importance of scientific research and scientific and expert viewpoints will naturally lead to not being able to use the existing possibilities in foreign policy in order to provide the country’s interests. In the field of foreign policy as well, we saw that delusionism became more dominant, even though realism should have been strengthened in order to move towards the goals set by the country’s foreign policy. This is while, in recent years, and with global and regional developments, we had had opportunities to provide the interests of the Iranian people by taking fundamental measures, but unfortunately we did not take advantage of them. The loss of huge gas resources in the shared gas fields in South Pars, rare opportunities in energy transfer from Central Asia and the Caucasus, and the use of regional and international competitions, which has been made possible by Iran’s unique status in the world, is just a small part of these losses.

- The ninth administration came to power with the slogan of “A Look towards the East”, and efforts were made to strengthen relations between Iran and Russia in this period. What is your assessment of Iran-Russia relations during Ahmadinejad’s presidency? Has this “A Look towards the East” policy been to our advantage?

-This period coincided with the strengthening of pragmatism in Russian foreign policy, which, with the implementation of the ”reset” policy during Obama’s presidency, increased Russia’s chances of taking advantage of Iran-US contrasts. With these policies, the US and Russia moved on the path of providing their common interests and increasing cooperation. Iran has been one of the most important areas of interest for both countries, and, due to the incorrect understanding of these relations in our country, we created a suitable leverage for Russia’s political games. Russia has benefited from this incorrect interpretation both economically and politically. Contrary to the era of the Soviet Union, the US and Russia do not view each other from an ideological aspect; they move, rather, towards cooperation and pursue their contrasts. In this period, the implementation of the “A Look towards the East” policy by Iran was in response to the international pressures exerted against our country. But the implementation of this policy under conditions when the West was exerting pressure has only helped the interests of Iran’s regional rivals. Under the umbrella of this policy, in an area where Iran must actively use the existing tools to provide the interests of the people of Iran, it has acted towards providing the interests of others. In Central Asia and the Caucasus, Iran could have gained huge interests by following a balanced and realistic approach, but unfortunately this was not the direction of Iran’s foreign policy during this period. Of course, the lack of balance and non-implementation of a proper policy in order to create balance between the “Eastern and Western” countries was beneficial for many of our surrounding countries.

- At the present time, what issues exist between Iran and Russia? Can it be said that Iran-Russia relations are strategic now?

- The important issue which casts a shadow over these relations is the relations of both countries with the US. Despite the fact that Russia has, several times, proven that its only intention is to safeguard its own interests, in Iran this assumption still exists that its relations with our country is strategic by nature. The issue of Russia not selling the S300 missiles or it voting positively for the UN Security Council sanction resolutions against Iran should be analyzed from the perspective of Russia’s interests in the consequences and also its relations with the US. Russia has become an “energy superpower” and considering Iran’s status in the world’s energy market, their interests are not compatible with each other. Russia intends to maintain the monopoly of energy transfer in north-western and central Asia. It is clear, particularly in the European markets, that Russia’s interests in this field are not compatible with Iran’s interests. It does not seem that Iran, in its present game, would be able to safeguard its interests against Russia’s objectives. Putting all the eggs in the baskets of Russia and China is not to Iran’s benefit. A balanced policy with regard to the West and the East, in a way that would provide our interests by using their contrasts, is more constructive and more fruitful. Haven’t our rights in the Caspian Sea been ignored by Russia? What difference does it make for us, Iranians, which country is ignoring our righteous rights?

- Mr. Rohani, in his response to Putin’s congratulatory message, has mentioned that “relations with Russia, as a great neighboring country, have a special place in our foreign policy and will be of huge significance in the 11th administration”. How would you assess the prospect of Iran-Russia relations during Mr. Rohani’s presidency?

- There is no doubt that Russia is a great and important country for us and that it must be placed in a balanced situation in Iran’s foreign policy. Russia must be viewed in our foreign policy as a country which has numerous capabilities to provide our interests. Nevertheless, the policy of relying on Russia, called the “eastern policy”, is not fruitful under conditions when the West is increasing its pressure on Iran. Considering Iran’s geopolitics, the interests of our people will only be provided by balanced relations with both “the East and the West” and not inclining towards one side. Contemporary history and experience show that our interests will be provided through the simultaneous expansion of relations with the eastern and western powers. This approach would give us the opportunity to use others’ contradictions. In this case, instead of becoming a playing card in their hands, we will use our possibilities and advantages. Iranians are the best people to use Iran’s geopolitical advantages.