Russia and the Iranian Nuclear Dispute

Russia has been involved in the dispute over Iran''s nuclear program since its inception. The main argument of this essay is that the Russians see Iran''s nuclear dispute in the context of their interests. In fact, Russian leaders - within their own country’s national interests - have linked Iran''s nuclear dispute with some of the most important issues related to Moscow''s foreign policy and national security, including the issues of NATO''s missile defense shield in Eastern Europe, Moscow’s energy and economic security as well as regional security matters. In this situation, it seems that the continuity of Iran''s nuclear dispute is in the interest of Russia, because it is an opportunity for Russians to resolve some of the most important issues relating to their national interests.