Reza Goharzad, a journalist and political analyst, said that relations between Russia and the Islamic Republic have been shaped on the basis of mutual interests, and that Moscow will support Tehran as long as this relationship is beneficial for it. He added that if the costs of this cooperation increase, Russia may prefer its own interests over supporting the Islamic Republic.

Goharzad also said that the Islamic Republic’s withdrawal from the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) would, in his view, be more of a lever for political pressure than an actual practical move. He added that such an action could increase international pressure on Tehran and bring the Iran file to the United Nations Security Council more prominently than before.