CIA Director William Burns Says The Ties Between Russia And Iran Are Not That 'Solid'

Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi greets Russian President Vladimir Putin before a trilateral meeting on Syria with Turkish President in Tehran on July 19, 2022. Credit: SERGEI SAVOSTYANOV/SPUTNIK/AFP  

CBS: CIA director William Burns says ties between Russia, Iran suffer from "limits," lack of trust 

CIA Director William Burns downplayed the utility of Russian President Vladimir Putin's recent visit to Iran on Wednesday, saying an alliance between the two countries would be limited by their historic rivalry in energy exports and an overall lack of trust. 

"I think beneath the images that that we all saw, the reality is that Russians and Iranians need each other right now," Burns said. 

"Both federally sanctioned countries, both looking to break out of political isolation as well — but if they need each other, they don't really trust each other, in the sense that they're energy rivals and historical competitors."  

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WNU Editor: The CIA Director is not the only one voicing this opinion .... Iran and Russia's friendship is more complicated than it seems (CNN). 

My take is different. 

The "enemy of my enemy is my friend". A quote that both Russia and Iran are embracing right now, especially Iran .... Iran supreme leader lauds Putin for starting Ukraine war and says if he hadn't, "dangerous" NATO would have (CBS). More here .... Iranian Supreme Leader Doubles-Down on Support for Russia (National Interest). 

It looks like the CIA Director is also missing the big picture.

I personally believe that what we are now seeing is a powerful trilateral relationship being formed between Russia - Iran - China that will be based on economic and security self interests, and the political organization that will coordinate this cooperation will be BRICS. 

Just in the past two weeks (under the BRICS umbrella) we have seen Russia and China sign commitments for energy development and exports. Russia forming a trade corridor through Iran to send goods to India thereby circumventing the Suez canal. Russia being the promoter for both Iran and India to develop a natural gas pipeline. A planning committee to establish a financial network that will be independent from SWIFT and Western sanctions. And numerous reports of other countries .... including Saudi Arabia .... now wanting to join this global organization.

All of these developments makes Washington claims that Iran will get a better deal with the West laughable, especially in view of what has been the history between the West and Iran .... US warns Iran risks becoming dependent on Russia after hosting Putin (Times If Israel).  

Update: The US has provided no evidence that Russia wants Iranian drones .... CIA Chief Says Russia’s Iran Drone Deal Shows Military Weakness (Bloomberg). This narrative has been making the media rounds for the past few weeks, and even if it is true, it does not show weakness. It shows the opposite. It  illustrates the growing security alliance between Russia and Iran.