"Of course, for a long time, Saudi Arabia has been a major US ally in the Middle East, the main ally in the Arab world,” he told Trend. “Saudi Arabia is now extremely dissatisfied with the situation in which the US improves its relations with Iran."
However, Sazhin, who is an expert on Iran, does not think that amid the deteriorating relations with the US, Saudi Arabia will begin to look for a new ally in Russia.
"The relations between Riyadh and Moscow are neutral, there is also a slight mistrust - the two countries have opposite positions on the Syrian issue," he said.
In addition, the expert said that Russia increasingly supports Iran and its activity aimed at lifting the sanctions.
"So, I would not say that Russia has allied relations with Saudi Arabia." the expert said.
He said Russia, in the dispute between Saudi Arabia and the United States, will take a pragmatic and relatively remote position
USA is one of the allies of Saudi Arabia in the region, and along with it, there are many political differences between Tehran and Riyadh over the Syrian, Yemeni and Iraqi crises.
Recently, relations between Saudi Arabia and Iran have significantly deteriorated due to the crisis in Yemen.
International military operation involving armed forces units of a number of Arab states led by Saudi Arabia is being conducted in Yemen starting from March 26. The operation is directed against the Shiite militant group movement of Houthis “Ansar Allah” (Supporters of God).
Meanwhile, Sazhin believes that after lifting the sanctions imposed on Iran, the country will strengthen its positions by establishing economic relations with Europe, Russia and possibly, the US.
Reaching of the framework agreement between Iran and the P5+1 on Apr.2, that will be the basis for signing of the final comprehensive agreement on Iran’s nuclear program, is a great breakthrough, first of all for Iran itself.
“Sanctions were extremely destroying and putting pressure on Iran’s economy and sanctions were among the main reasons why Iran made certain compromises in this issue,” Sazhin concluded.
It should be noted that the P5+1 (US, UK, France, Russia China plus Germany) and Iran agreed on Apr.2 that the operation of two-thirds of Iranian facilities for uranium enrichment will be suspended for 10 years. Moreover, Iran agreed to transfer all its uranium enrichment programs under the international control for the period of 25 years.
It is planned to complete the preparation of the agreement on the nuclear program by June 30. This is while EU will lift the sanctions on Iran if the latter fulfills the reached agreements.
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