Russia-Iran Energy Road Map: Is Moscow Trying to Sit on Two Chairs?

Ariel Cohen / July 16, 2010

Russian and Iranian energy ministers Sergei I. Shmatko and Massoud Mir-Kazemi, signed a “roadmap” to future economic cooperation in the oil, gas, and petrochemical industries, according to ITAR-TASS, a Russian news-wire.

Just weeks after Russia supported United Nations sanctions against Iran for developing a rogue nuclear program, and just as President Dmitry Medvedev demanded that Iran explains its nuclear program, the Russian Ministry of Energy stated that “sanctions will not hinder us in our joint cooperation” with Iran.

On Monday, Russian President Medvedev said that Iran is approaching the point where it would have the means to build a nuclear bomb, a statement that seems to demonstrate Russia’s grudging acceptance of American and Israeli intelligence, and which was rebuked by the Iranian government. (more…)