Iran’s Russian factor

TEHRAN, Iran — Russian President Vladimir Putin was scheduled to arrive in the Iranian capital today amid a swirl of speculation about whether Moscow will follow or reject Western plans to pressure Iran over its nuclear program.

Putin and an entourage were due to arrive for a summit of the leaders of the five states bordering the Caspian Sea. His visit would be the first to Iran by a Russian head of state since 1943, when Josef Stalin, Winston Churchill and Franklin D. Roosevelt met here to map World War II strategy.

Hours after Putin left Germany, Iranian officials said the Russian president would arrive in Tehran as head of a delegation early today instead of Monday evening as scheduled, according to the Islamic Republic News Agency.

The reason for the delay and Putin’s whereabouts were unknown. Russian news agencies quoted unnamed officials warning of terrorist plots to assassinate Putin once he arrived in Tehran.

Days ago, Putin publicly rebuffed a visiting delegation of U.S. officials, including Defense Secretary Robert Gates and Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, who pressed the Russian to embrace American plans to build a missile-defense system to counter Iran.

But U.S. officials said Putin sounded more flexible in private conversations and hinted that they were pleased with the message they expected the Russian leader to deliver to the Iranians.

Putin, speaking to reporters Monday in Wiesbaden, Germany, at the close of meetings with German Chancellor Angela Merkel, said that “Iran’s nuclear program will be discussed in talks with the Iranian leadership.”

The U.S. and France are spearheading an effort to impose a third round of United Nations Security Council sanctions on Iran over its uranium enrichment program. Russia and China, which hold veto power on the council, appear opposed to immediate sanctions.

The United State alone cannot force Iran to give up its nuclear ambitions, Defense Secretary Robert Gates said Monday. Gates called Iran as “an ambitious and fanatical theocracy.”

“With a government of that nature, only a united front of nations will be able to exert enough pressure to make Iran abandon its nuclear aspirations — a source of great anxiety and instability in the region,” Gates said.

Despite U.S. opposition, Russia continues to build and operate a light-water nuclear power plant in the southern Iranian city of Bushehr. Iran accuses Russia of reneging on a deal to supply the plant with nuclear fuel.

Moscow says Tehran hasn’t paid its bills, but analysts believe Russia is holding back on completing the project for fear of alienating the West.

The delays have prompted anger from some conservative circles in Iran. The hard-right Jomhouri Islami daily accused Moscow of “paving the way for the plans of neocolonialism in the heart of the Islamic world” by remaining silent or acquiescing to U.S.-led pressure on Iran.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

Customers enter and exit the Costco on Dec. 2, 2022, in Lake Stevens. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Costco stores could be impacted by looming truck driver strike threat

Truck drivers who deliver groceries and produce to Costco warehouses… Continue reading

Two Washington State ferries pass along the route between Mukilteo and Clinton as scuba divers swim near the shore Sunday, Oct. 22, 2023, in Mukilteo, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Ferry system increases ridership by a half million in 2024

Edmonds-Kingston route remains second-busiest route in the system.

A view of a homes in Edmonds, Washington on Friday, Sept. 8, 2023. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Snohomish County to mail property tax statements this month

First half payments are due on April 30.

Ticket and ORCA card kiosks at the Lynnwood Light Rail station on Thursday, April 4, 2024 in Lynnwood, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Beginning March 1, Community Transit to reduce some fares

Riders eligible for reduced fares will pay $1 for a single ORCA card tap and $36 for a monthly pass.

Robin Cain with 50 of her marathon medals hanging on a display board she made with her father on Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025 in Lake Stevens, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Running a marathon is hard. She ran one in every state.

Robin Cain, of Lake Stevens, is one of only a few thousand people to ever achieve the feat.

People line up to grab food at the Everett Recovery Cafe on Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Coffee, meals and compassion are free at the Everett Recovery Cafe

The free, membership-based day center offers free coffee and meals and more importantly, camaraderie and recovery support.

Devani Padron, left, Daisy Ramos perform during dance class at Mari's Place Monday afternoon in Everett on July 13, 2016. (Kevin Clark / The Herald)
Mari’s Place helps children build confidence and design a better future

The Everett-based nonprofit offers free and low-cost classes in art, music, theater and dance for children ages 5 to 14.

The Everett Wastewater Treatment Plant along the Snohomish River on Thursday, June 16, 2022 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett water, sewer rates could jump 43% by 2028

The rate hikes would pay for improvements to the city’s sewer infrastructure.

The bond funded new track and field at Northshore Middle School on Thursday, Oct. 24, 2024 in Bothell, Washington. (Courtesy of Northshore School District)
Northshore School District bond improvements underway

The $425 million bond is funding new track and field complexes, playgrounds and phase one of two school replacements.

The amphitheater at Deception Pass during the 2021 concert series. (Photo provided by Deception Pass Park Foundation Facebook page.)
Deception Pass Foundation seeks Adopt-A-Trail volunteers

If you’re looking for a way to get outside and… Continue reading

A pedestrian is struck and killed by vehicle Wednesday in Everett

The pedestrian was a man in his 60s. The collision happened at 5:30 a.m. on Broadway.

Want coffee? Drink some with the Marysville mayor.

A casual question-and-answer session between mayor and constituents is planned for March 24.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.