January 30, 2007

A relationship which should be watched closely, is the one between Iran and Russia. Earlier this week Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Ali Khamenei met with Russian Security Council chief Igor Ivanov. The meeting consisted of commitments from both sides to further their relationships and produce closer ties. What appears to be the most threatening and perhaps ominous statements during the meeting were proclaimed by Khamenei when he said, "Active cooperation between the Islamic Republic of Iran and Russia on regional issues within a defined framework can prevent the U.S. from becoming the sole power in the region." The meeting contained further threatening implications whereby Khamenei introduced an idea to Ivanov to create an OPEC like organization between Iran and Russia for the purpose of coordinating gas sales. Between Iran and Russia, both countries control close to half of the worlds gas reserves, if such a cooperation was established it could have an extremely detrimental effect on the rest of the world. Just recently Russia's gas industry made world news when they threatened to cut supplies to the Ukraininans, insisting more money. If Iran and Russia would buddy up, not only will Iran earn a much greater bargaining chip in international affairs, but the two countries could hold half of the world ransom for heat.