Pentagon Wary of Russia-Iran Cooperation

By Staff, Foreign Policy

As US President Donald Trump’s administration ratchets up pressure on Iran, the Pentagon is warning Moscow and Tehran against cooperating in the Middle East, a relationship that a senior Pentagon official claimed could further destabilize the region.

During a May 30 event in Washington, D.C., Kathryn Wheelbarger, the acting assistant war secretary for international security affairs, warned of Russia and Iran’s ‘creeping’ influence in the Middle East, saying both have “revisionist ambitions” that will negatively impact US partners in the region.

“Even understanding historical mistrust between Moscow and Tehran, the United States and the region must be mindful when revisionist powers cooperate,” Wheelbarger added. “We are watching this relationship closely.”

She also harshly criticized Russia, continuing the administration policy of delivering rhetorical blows to Moscow even as Trump has often been reluctant to criticize Russian President Vladimir Putin personally. Wheelbarger painted Russia as an unreliable and dishonest partner and said Moscow’s relationship with Iran in particular is an example of this duplicity.

“Russia’s attempts to be amenable to all regional players—irrespective of regional animosities and conflicting national interests—is a strategy likely to create implicit distrust and distance,” Wheelbarger said. “By striving to accommodate all sides in regional disputes, Russia shows it cannot be trusted when true choices need to be made or friends need to be known.”