Iranian Scholar on Russia’s Support for the UAE’s Territorial Claim

Elaheh Koulaei, a professor of political science at Tehran University, former reformist parliamentarian, and public intellectual, keeps lecturing Iranian politicians on the timeless wisdom of realism but apparently to no avail. In 2022, China backed the United Arab Emirates’ claim on the Greater and Lesser Tunbs and Abu Musa islands, causing fury in Iran, which also claims the islands. A July 10 statement issued by Russia and the Gulf Cooperation Council following a Ministerial Meeting for Strategic Dialogue in Moscow expressing support for a “peaceful solution” to the island dispute caused renewed anger in Tehran. This anger, according to Koulaei, stems from ignorance about international relations and a misguided, one-sided orientation toward Russia and China.

• July 13: In an interview with reformist Etemad Daily, Koulaei discussed Russia’s behavior and assessed the impact of Iran’s orientation toward Russia and China:
  • The interviewer asked: “Russia and the Persian Gulf Cooperation Council’s positions concerning Iranian islands have negatively impacted public opinion in Iran. Why does Russia behave in such ways?” Koulaei responded: “Such events cause surprise and astonishment among officials and decision makers, who lack a proper understanding of the realities of international relations and the dynamics regulating relations between states. The behavior of Russia, the United States, Japan, and all other states is designed to enhance their national interests. Therefore, expecting that the Russians should have the interests of the Islamic Republic of Iran on their minds in their international conduct is contrary to international realities. Like any other state, Russia’s relations with states in the Persian Gulf region, in particular the southern states, serve the purpose of enhancing Russia’s interests … The Persian Gulf Cooperation Council has consistently emphasized the UAE’s territorial claims, and in order to expand its relations with these countries, Russia, based on its own considerations and self-interest, confirms the baseless and undocumented claims of the UAE.”
  • Asked to assess the impact of the “Looking East” strategy, Koulaei said: “Unfortunately, over the past decade, a strategy called ‘Looking East,’ ‘Eastern policy,’ or, in reality, an orientation toward the East, has emerged in Iran. Based on this strategy, the country has pursued unbalanced relations with Russia and China, without any regard for Iran’s geographic and geopolitical needs … This strategy does not secure our national interests … Fundamentally, all countries sharing Iran’s geopolitical characteristics … pursue a balancing strategy in their foreign policy. Dependence on one global power, be it Eastern or Western, does not serve the needs and interests of the state … ‘Eastern policy’ provides opportunities for Eastern powers so they can take advantage of the confrontation between Iran and Western Europe and the United States … Other players reap the benefits of Iran’s geopolitical position and secure their national interests. In this strategic model, Iran, rather than utilizing its capacities and capabilities, is reduced to a bargaining chip in the hands of other powers.”
  • Discussing “the recent changes in Saudi Arabia’s behavior,” Koulaei said: “Saudi Arabia and other Arab states undertake a different engagement, which should remind Iran of the need to regulate its foreign policy to serve the national interest.”

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