120 Mining Projects to Be Transferred to Russians; Iran's Mines in Russian Hands

The Deputy Minister of Industry, Mine and Trade of the Islamic Republic has announced the transfer of 120 exploratory projects to the Russians in the near future, stating that the Chinese may also come to Iran for exploration and development in the mining sector. Alireza Shahidi emphasized that they hope to sign a memorandum of understanding with the Russians by Azar (December). According to this official's remarks, the execution of 120 mining projects is set to be fully handed over to the Russians, who will also train Iranian human resources. The Deputy Minister of Industry stated that if the Iran-Russia Economic Commission is held on December 3 and 4, the memorandum of cooperation will be concluded on those dates. Experts assess the transfer of a large volume of the country's mines to the Russians as part of the 20-year contract between Iran and Russia, a contract that Iranian media considered a gift from Ebrahim Raisi from his trip to Russia in September 2022. Ebrahim Raisi also stated on Thursday, September 15, during a meeting with Putin that the new large contract between the Islamic Republic of Iran and Russia would lead to a 'rise in bilateral relations.' The official website of the presidency reported that a large delegation of Russian business representatives, including 80 companies, will travel to Tehran next week. Iranian media have described Russia's presence in economic projects, including oil and gas, as Russia's plan to contain Iran in competitive markets. The website 'Tejarat News' reported on December 25, 2021, that Russia's economic interests in proximity to Iran are somewhat clear. It was reported that during the exploration of the 'Chalus gas field,' this field elevated Iran to the first position in terms of natural gas resources in the world, prompting the Russians to step forward and promise to export from this gas field to Europe, so to speak, to have the 'export milk' of Iran's gas to Europe in their own hands. This report, like others, mentioned Iran's policy of returning to an 'eastward look' after nearly a decade. On June 8, 2022, the 'Washington Free Beacon' reported on the eastward shift in Iran's foreign policy, emphasizing that China intends to provide advanced espionage equipment to the Islamic Republic under a $400 billion, 25-year contract, which would allow for greater suppression of dissenters and opponents by intelligence agencies. Ebrahim Raisi also stated on February 15 of last year during his trip to Beijing that the implementation of the '25-year strategic document' signed between Iran and China would be pursued. Zelensky: Iran, Russia, and North Korea are 'throwing a match into the fire of war' between Israel and the Palestinians. Analytical report; a mirage called 'China's economic miracle.' Complete withdrawal of the Chinese from the 'Yadavaran' oil field; reason for withdrawal: U.S. sanctions.