Competition between Russia and Iran in the Energy Field of Central Asia- Caspian and Caucasus

Countries at central Asia and Ghfghaz have considerable amounts of gas and oil resources. The oil and gas extracted from these resources cannot be easily supplied in the demanding areas, though these resources are located near market places. During the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, the main transit route of the energies of these areas was crossing across Russia. But, after the collapse of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, the first rivalries in this regard were developed between Iran and Russia, as Iran is close to these oil-rich countries. However, Russia has been the winner of this competition, though Iran has had high potentials for transiting energy. Hence, in this regard, a substantial question will raise on how Russia have been the only active country in transiting energy to the above mentioned areas, while having such a powerful competitor like Iran with considerable capacities for accomplishing the task of energy transit. The results of an analytical-descriptive study carried out with the use of library and electronic sources show that the regional policy of the US towards Iran, which is all things without Iran, has been one of most important factors facilitating the Russia policy on the energy exclusivity related to the aforementioned areas.