However, almost 2 decades later, the heritage remained of the clash between the two unquestioned world powers is still visible on the centers of many crises hitting the world’s regions, the Middle East in particular. The war in Syria has forged one of the centers of such crises which has passed virtually 18 months.
Backed by the countries of the East Front comprised of Russia, China and Iran, the Syrian government has been able to resist the opposition forces supported by the West Front and its regional allies. Having forged a new framework of power balance in the Middle East as some analysts believe the new Russia-China-Iran front has already influenced several developments in the region including the Syrian domestic conflict.
But one should wait and see to what extent the new front can follow its role in regional developments. Speaking to Khabar Online, Iran's ambassador to Russia Mahmoud Reza Sajjadi says the idea of such front is interesting in itself, but Russians and Chinese have not referred to the formation of such front. Nevertheless, the issue is considerable in itself and requires a special attention.
On the pros and cons of the new East Front for Iran Sajjadi said: “The notable point of this front is that it has changed the concepts of the region. As a matter of fact, after the collapse of the Soviet Union, the U.S. officials were convinced that their domination over the world became certain and unquestionable. So, they began to lunch a number of unilateral operations in Afghanistan, Iraq and Libya as they actually invaded the East.”
“Obviously independent and powerful countries such as Iran, Russia and China are not approved of the unilateral approach of the United States. In the case of Syria, the West showed the worst example of imposing its will on other nations,” Iran's ambassador to Russia added.
“I believe our participation in the East Front bears no burden on the Islamic Republic of Iran, but brings a positive result, sending this message to the West that their concept of the today's international scene is wrong and the entire world is moving toward a multi-polar formation not Unitarianism led by the West,” he suggested.
Sajjadi described the role the other players in the region including Turkey can play: “I would say that although the membership of Turkey in NATO has put some limitations on this country, they can play their own role. Not only the four aforementioned countries but all others which are disapproved of the West’s unilateralism are able to establish a front which may be manifested at summits like those of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM).”
“ Above all, Russia and Iran are the only countries which have challenged the supremacy of the United States in the international scene, and have stood against the unilateralism practiced by that country,” the senior diplomat said.
Despite having complaints over their support for some rounds of the United Nations Security Council’ sanctions against Iran over its nuclear program, Tehran enjoys having good ties with Russia and China. The Islamic Republic of Iran has announced no act to downgrade ties with these two long-time partners.
In the same vein, earlier the secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council Saeed Jalili referred to several common opportunities provided for Iran and Russia saying that the strategic cooperation between the two neighboring countries is essential and has the potential to adjust the balance of power in the best interests of nations in the region.
However several Iranian politicians stress that the foreign policies of the both countries are based on their economic and political interests, although even their economic and political interests lie in backing Iran, not in relations with the West. They suggest that supports given by Russia and China have been related to their interests not for the sake of God.
