Iran’s leadership may be hoping that Beijing and Moscow will step in and help it with the West. But it’s not in their interests to do so.
Vladimir Putin has returned to the Russian presidential office. And, if his previous record as president is anything to go by, he’s likely to take a tough line against the U.S. over Iran.
This comes at a time when U.S. relations with China have been tense. Indeed, U.S. Defense Secretary Leon Panetta used a recent visit to Vietnam to underscore how the United States intends to back its allies in the Asia-Pacific region and help them enforce their rights in the South China Sea, an area that Beijing claims much of. Such sentiments are unlikely to have been well received by China's leaders.
Against this backdrop, China and Russia are both veto wielding members of the U.N. Security Council, as well as members of the P5+1 group, which is negotiating with Iran over its nuclear program. The Iranian government could therefore be forgiven for seeing a diplomatic opportunity on the horizon, and Tehran can be expected to attempt to seize the moment by trying to create a rift between the rest of the P5+1 and Russia and China.
Indeed, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad will likely have used his meetings with Putin and senior Chinese officials on the sidelines of this week's Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit for this very purpose. The question that should be asked, though, is this: how much mileage can Tehran get from such discord?
The likely answer is: not much.
Of course, Putin can be expected to crank up the rhetoric in challenging U.S. policies, especially those tied to new sanctions against Iran. In concrete terms, though, he’ll be treading much more carefully. Putin may want to sound tough with the United States, but he’s also aware that it’s unwise to vigorously challenge current U.S. and EU oil sanctions against Iran’s oil industry because they also serve his government’s interests.
Iran is a Russian competitor in the global energy market, and the less oil Iran is allowed to sell, the more scope there will be for Russia to step in. In the long run, Russia may even be able to poach some of Iran’s long standing oil customers. In addition, the current tensions over Iran, and its absence from the oil markets, could help keep oil prices higher, a reality that will be welcome for a Russian administration that’s determined to eliminate Russia’s budget deficit by 2015. Doing so depends on oil prices averaging around $100 per barrel, by some estimates.
The Chinese government’s enthusiasm for helping the Iranian government, meanwhile, is also likely to be limited.
The most important reason is China’s slowing economy. Taking the U.S. on over Iran now is the kind of distraction that policy makers in Beijing can do without, and that’s not to mention the penalties for business interests that might follow open defiance of U.S.-backed sanctions. In addition, getting too close to Iran could place an unnecessary strain on China’s key business relationship with Saudi Arabia, as well as with other members of the Gulf Cooperation Council wanting to see the Iranian government isolated.
In addition, as much as the current oil sanctions hurt some of China’s business interests, Iran’s current isolation isn’t without its benefits for China. Three years ago, for example, Iran signed a deal with China under which rather than paying Iran for its oil, China keeps Iran’s money and uses it as a substitute to Letters of Credit to guarantee payments for Chinese products purchased by Iran.
According to the Iran-based Baztab publication, believed to have close links with former Iranian Revolutionary Guard chief Mohsen Rezai, despite keeping Iran’s oil money as a guarantee for payment for Chinese goods, the Chinese government charges a 4 percent insurance fee on its exports to Iran. According to PBS, the amount involved could be more than $25 billion.
Photo Credit: Kremlin
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Leo Laffitte
Never happen , China and Russia will use Iran as a "Center pawn" , in their international chess game , againts the U.S.; regardless of our Economic situation…they have their own E.D.problems.
M
Sidenote: I heard that Iran is going to stop trading oil in u.s dollars and go the euro. Same thing Iraq was doing before we smashed them. As far as a war with iran is concerned, It's all about maintaining power for the u.s.
mick
Am I just a brainwashed westener? I don’t understand how Russian and Chinese people support the Iranian regime that was installed with u.s interference and treats its people so poorly
Siddharth
Iran must be rescued by Russia and China from the vested interest of the Western Imperialists.
comet
Iran could be saved if there more exports of their crude oil in world market and indeed Russia and China are some major countries have high demand on it. That is why these both countries support Iran regardless US impose sanction over oil products to deter Iran’s plan on making “dirty bombs”.
JohnX
“According to the Iran-based Baztab publication, believed to have close links with former Iranian Revolutionary Guard chief Mohsen Rezai, despite keeping Iran’s oil money as a guarantee for payment for Chinese goods, the Chinese government charges a 4 percent insurance fee on its exports to Iran. According to PBS, the amount involved could be more than $25 billion.”
Damm, you have to give it to the Chinese, they really know how to screw over thier friends.
They take the Iranisans oil in exchange for rubbish goods and then charge them for the pleaseure.
Damm, LOL, you have to give them credit for thier cahognes.
scdad07
Well said to certain point.
Since China and Russia oppose regime change in Syria, shielding Iran from such interference in UN is expected, ie(everyone’s)o.
Likewise, one awaits what US gains politically and economically with her ‘pivot’.
‘Chicken Rib’ or ‘Their no gain is my gain’ mentality all the way to November.