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US Aims to Undermine Tehran-Moscow Ties

US Aims to Undermine Tehran-Moscow Ties
US Aims to Undermine Tehran-Moscow Ties

Lawmakers said simultaneous sanctions imposed by the US on Russia and Iran were undoubtedly aimed at driving a wedge between the two regional allies, noting that expansion of relations need to continue in the future.

In a recent talk with ICANA on Monday, lawmaker Mohammad Javad Jamali, a member of Majlis National Security and Foreign Policy Commission, said there was no doubt that the imposition of sanctions was due to the progress made by Iran and Russia in the region.

"Washington now has come to the conclusion that it might be able to turn the tide in the Middle East in favor of its allies by leveling sanctions against Iran and Russia," he said. Highlighting the significance of Iran-Russia relations, Jamali said the ties must be definitely pursued in all sectors.

US President Donald Trump signed into law the controversial Iran-Russia sanctions bill on August 3. The bill was passed by both chambers of the US Congress, with a vote of 419-3 in the House of Representatives and 98-2 in the Senate.

The bill codifies Russian sanctions established by previous executive orders and envisages congressional approval before any sanctions against Russia can be eased, curtailing presidential authority. It also adds a number of measures to existing sanctions against Iran, targeting Iran's defense sector and the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps over its ballistic missiles program and regional activities.

In a tit-for-tat move, the Iranian Parliament passed a bill on Sunday to "counter America's terrorist and adventurist actions" that would help the IRGC increase its anti-terror activities in the region.

  Useless Tactics

Lawmaker Abolfazl Hassanbeigi described Washington's divisive tactics as a spent force, saying the measures have been taken after the Tehran-Moscow alliance tipped the balance in the Middle East in their favor.

"Now, Washington wants to reverse the situation. They want to change the regional equation in their favor and the sanctions imposed on Russia and Iran are part of this policy," he said.

Hassanbeigi questioned the purpose of sanctions at a time when Tehran-Moscow cooperation has helped drive the self-styled Islamic State terrorist group out of most territories under its control and said, "The aim of these sanctions are to distract attention [of Russia and Iran] from what is necessary."

At Damascus' request, Iran and Russia have helped the Syrian government to combat terrorists in the country. They have also formed a trilateral alliance, with Turkey, that has been able to bring the disputing sides in the six-year Syrian war to the negotiating table. Known as the Astana peace process, the initiative has carved out four de-escalation zones in the war-ravaged country to facilitate the provision of badly needed aid and basic necessities.

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