Iran–Russia Relations: Strategic Alliance or Interest-Based Cooperation?

Objective: Iran–Russia relations remain contested in Iranian foreign policy, situated between strategic partnership and interest-based cooperation. Although shared concerns over Western pressure and cooperation in regional security, energy, and multilateral institutions have strengthened strategic convergence, persistent differences over issues such as the Caspian Sea, energy competition, the JCPOA, and Russia’s relations with the Persian Gulf states reveal important constraints on bilateral ties. Despite extensive scholarship on Iran–Russia relations, existing studies have predominantly emphasized geopolitical and material factors, while paying comparatively less attention to the role of identity, historical experiences, and policymakers’ perceptions in shaping cooperation and disagreement. Mehtod: This study addresses this gap by examining Iran–Russia relations through constructivism as its primary theoretical framework, complemented by insights from cognitive diplomacy. Employing a qualitative research design based on documentary analysis and case studies, the study examines the geopolitical-security dimension through the Zangezur Corridor and the economic dimension through energy cooperation. Results: Findings indicate that, although Iran and Russia have expanded cooperation across several strategic areas, their relationship does not constitute a comprehensive strategic alliance. Rather, it is better understood as interest-based cooperation characterized by selective convergence, pragmatic coordination, and persistent constraints arising from divergent interests, historical experiences, and differing perceptions.

کلیدواژه ها:

cognitive diplomacy ، Constructivism ، Interest-Based Cooperation ، Iran ، Russia ، Strategic alliance