Under tightening UN sanctions and frozen negotiations with Europe, Iran is deepening its nuclear and military alliance with Russia. This week, Mohammad Eslami, head of Iran’s Atomic Energy Organization, met with Rosatom’s deputy CEO Nikolai Spassky in Tehran to advance “peaceful nuclear energy” cooperation. The talks centered on two new nuclear agreements — one for small modular reactors across Iran and another for a $25 billion project to build four major power units in Hormozgan province. Both sides emphasized accelerating ongoing projects and expanding long-term collaboration under their 20-year strategic partnership.

The deepening alliance goes beyond energy. Earlier this year, Russia agreed to construct eight nuclear plants in Iran, including four in Bushehr. Now, leaked intelligence files reportedly suggest that the two nations are discussing a fighter jet deal, signaling a broader military partnership. As Iran faces mounting pressure from Western sanctions and the aftermath of its June conflict with Israel, Tehran is turning to Moscow for both deterrence and survival — forging a new axis of power that could destabilize the balance in the Middle East.

SOURCE: World Israel News