Explaining the Dominant Military-Security Tendency in the Iran–Russia Relationship

A review of the history of relations between the Islamic Republic of Iran and the Russian Federation reveals that military and security aspects have been more prominent than economic and trade relations. This article aimed to outline the strengthened military-security tendency in relations between Iran and Russia by examining various vectors of cooperation between these two states from the early 1990s to the present. The author identified, categorized, and analyzed the underlying factors impacting the prevailing military-security aspects in Iran–Russia relations. Domestic and regional aspects of Iranian politics, including elite militarization of politics, security-centric policy rhetoric, and Russia’s political and security support as demonstrated in Iran’s nuclear program, through to the mediating role of shared security threats manifested in the regional instability and insecurity due to terrorism, and U.S. presence in the areas adjacent to these two states, were found to contribute to a strengthened military-security tendency in Iran–Russia ties. It was concluded that as long as Iran remains a security-seeker state under sanctions, isolation, and existential threats from the collective West and its neighbors in the Middle East, it continues to purchase the services and products that Russia can offer most effectively, resulting in a strengthened military-security inclination toward Russia.