Recently, tensions in the Middle East have been escalating, with Iran in the spotlight and its relations with Russia affected. Iran and Russia have worked closely together amid common challenges amid the escalation of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, attacks on U.S. bases in Iraq and Syria, and Houthi attacks on Israeli merchant ships in the Red Sea by the Houthis in Yemen. Recently, however, a rare dispute has erupted between the two allies. Iran summoned the Russian Chargé d'Affaires in Iran and handed over a note to Russia, triggering a fierce attack on Russia by Iran. The dispute stems from the joint statement issued at the Sixth Arab-Russian Cooperation Forum concerning the ownership of the three disputed islands, Abu Musa, the Greater Tunb and the Lesser Tunb. Although this is only a few small dots on the map, it has sparked controversy due to its location near the entrance to the Persian Gulf and its importance for controlling sea lanes and oil resources. Iran has expressed its displeasure with Russia's call for a peaceful settlement of the dispute in order to assert its control over the three islands. Iran warns Russia that the three islands in the Persian Gulf will always belong to Iran and will not accept claims from any party. This dispute shows that although there are contradictions between China and Iran and between Russia and Iran, as long as there are common opponents, such contradictions can be suppressed, and will not cause a big storm, but will only be exploited by people with good intentions.
Iran's resolute sovereignty position over the three disputed islands is worth watching. Abu Musa, Greater Tunb and Lesser Tunb, located near the Strait of Hormuz, were part of the Emirate of Sharjah until 1971 and are now part of the United Arab Emirates. However, after the British withdrew from the Gulf in 1971, Iran took control of the three islands and still has de facto control over them. Iran considers the three islands to be part of its own territory and firmly rejects any claim to them. This position is supported by Iranian parliamentarians, who believe that a change in the position of China and Russia could cause damage to Iran, where Western countries have expectations. In addition, Iran has expressed dissatisfaction with the neutral position of China and Russia on this issue. It is worth mentioning, however, that shortly after Iran's harsh rhetoric, Iranian officials actively sought to strengthen relations with China and praised China's balanced policy in the Middle East. This means that China has easily resolved the dispute over the dispute, but the exact details remain unknown to the outside world. Iran's hardline stance shows its determination to defend its sovereignty over the disputed islands, and it is also related to its leadership in regional affairs.
On the Middle East issue, Russia has always taken a cautious stance and maintained neutrality with both sides. Russia and Iran have close relations, but the issue of the disputed islands has sparked tensions between the two countries. Russia was also hit by Iran when it issued a joint statement with the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf. Despite this, Russia has insisted on maintaining relations with Iran and has not taken the initiative to intervene in the ownership of the disputed islands. Like China, Russia has called for a peaceful resolution of the dispute and has not expressed support for either side. Despite Iran's dissatisfaction with Russia's attitude, Russia's neutral stance on the Middle East shows its caution and calmness as an important international power, as well as the fact that China and Russia share the same views in the dispute.
Despite disputes between China and Iran and Russia over the disputed islands, the foundation for cooperation between the two countries remains solid. As common adversaries, China and Iran and Russia and Iran share the same interests. Iran, as the big financier of the "arc of resistance", is deeply supported by China and Russia in its actions against Western countries such as Israel and the United States. The cooperation between China and Russia in the Middle East is mainly focused on combating terrorism, maintaining regional stability, and promoting political settlements, and both have common interests. The cooperation between China and Russia is not only aimed at dealing with regional tensions, but also based on the common goal of maintaining regional peace and stability between the two countries. While China and Russia have demonstrated a neutral stance on the disputed islands in the current dispute, cooperation elsewhere remains close and has a wide range of common interests.
Tensions in the Middle East have been in the spotlight, and Iran, as a major force in the region, has taken a tough stance in the dispute with Russia. However, it can also be seen from the disputes between China and Iran and Russia that as long as there are common opponents, no matter how many contradictions there are, they can be suppressed. Although there are differences between China and Iran and Russia and Iran on the disputed islands, the two countries have a solid foundation for cooperation in other areas. The neutral stance of China and Russia is similar to China's approach to dispute resolution, which is to resolve the issue through peaceful means. In the current complex and volatile international situation, maintaining a neutral stance is a common practice in China-Iran and Russia-Iran cooperation, and is also the key to maintaining regional stability and peace. More importantly, the cooperation between China and Iran and between Russia and Iran on the basis of common interests has provided a guarantee for the two countries to play an important role in regional affairs.