“Commander of the Iranian army, Major General Abdolrahim Mousavi, shakes hands with the commander of the Belarusian Air Force, Major General Andrei Yulianovich Lukyanovich, in Tehran,” Tasnim News Agency (IRGC-affiliated news source), 7 August 2024.
“The political, military, and defense officials of the two countries are determined to develop and deepen cooperation.”
A meeting between Iranian and Belarusian military officials underscores the strengthening of ties between the two internationally isolated countries. In the excerpted article by state broadcaster IRIB, the commander of the Iranian Army, MAJ GEN Mousavi, said “The political, military, and defense officials of the two countries are determined to develop and deepen cooperation.” During the 7 August meeting in Tehran, his counterpart, GEN Lukanovich, echoed this sentiment, noting “We also seek to expand and deepen military relations and exchange and benefit from the valuable experiences of the Islamic Republic of Iran.” The visit highlights Tehran and Minsk’s intent to bolster their strategic partnership.
Just months prior, in March, Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko visited Iran for the first time in seventeen years.[i] Since the Ukraine War began in February 2022, Iran has expanded its ties with Russia through an impending defense pact that already includes selling its Shahed drones and, most recently, ballistic missiles to Moscow.[ii] It’s only natural that Belarus, a top Russian ally and shares a border with Ukraine, would also want to deepen its ties with Tehran. As MAJ GEN Mousavi pointed out during his discussion with his counterpart, Iran and Belarus have “common threats and interests” as the two countries are under Western sanctions.
In the meeting cited in the IRIB article, the Iranian Army commander also said, “Belarus holds a strategic and special position and is a strong barrier against NATO expansion. We, along with regional countries, are also opposed to NATO’s expansion.”
During his March visit, the Belarusian dictator met with then-President Ebrahim Raisi and Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and signed seven memorandums of understanding, including one in trade and transportation, with a target of $100 million in trade.[iii] MAJ GEN Lukyanovich’s August visit appears to be an extension of that bilateral cooperation, which includes economic as well as military ties. With Iran isolated by the United States and the West, the strengthening of relations with other internationally isolated countries like Belarus is a mutually beneficial opportunity for Tehran in the realms of trade and military cooperation to survive economic pressure via sanctions.
Sources:
“آمادگی نیروی پدافند هوایی ارتش برای توسعه همکاریها با بلاروس (The readiness of the army air defense to develop cooperation with Belarus),” Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (state broadcaster), 7 August 2024. https://www.iribnews.ir/00I3RX.
According to the Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB), Major General Andrei Yulianovich Lukyanovich, commander of the air force and air defense of the Republic of Belarus, met and held discussions with Major General [Abdolrahim] Mousavi at the General Staff Headquarters of the Armed Forces.
In this meeting, the army commander described Iran and Belarus as two countries with common threats and interests, under the unjust sanctions of America and the West, and possessing independence and non-dependence.
General Mousavi, while appreciating Belarus’ chivalrous and independent stance on the issue of the assassination of [Hamas political chief] martyr Ismail Haniyeh, stated: “Belarus holds a strategic and special position and is a strong barrier against NATO expansion. We, along with regional countries, are also opposed to NATO’s expansion.”
Referring to the unilateral sanctions imposed by global arrogance against Iran since the victory of the Islamic Revolution [referring to the West], the army commander added: “We have tried to make the most of this threat and not make our country’s defense dependent on external powers…”
The army commander emphasized: “The political, military, and defense officials of the two countries are determined to develop and deepen cooperation, and a clear example of this is the visit of the president of Belarus, Mr. [Aleksandr] Lukashenko, to Iran and his meeting with the late dear martyr President [Ebrahim] Raisi, which laid the foundation for relations and joint commissions…”
General Lukanovich said: “We also seek to expand and deepen military relations and exchange and benefit from the valuable experiences of the Islamic Republic of Iran…”Referring to Iran’s defensive capabilities to defend against enemy threats, General Lukanovich invited the army commander to visit Belarus and observe the country’s capabilities.
Notes:
[i] “Iran, Belarus Vow To “Strengthen Cooperation” During Lukashenko’s Visit,” IranWire, 13 March 2024. https://iranwire.com/en/politics/114738-iran-belarus-vow-to-strengthen-cooperation-during-lukashenkos-visit/
[ii] Natasha Bertrand and Kylie Atwood, “Iran transfers ballistic missiles to Russia, sources say,” CNN, 7 September 2024. https://www.cnn.com/2024/09/06/politics/iran-transfers-ballistic-missiles-russia/index.html
[iii] Maziar Motamedi, “Iran and Belarus sign cooperation roadmap in Lukashenko visit,” Al Jazeera, 13 March 2023. https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/3/13/iran-and-belarus-sign-cooperation-roadmap-in-lukashenko-visit
OE Insight Summary:
BYS air force commander visits IRN to expand military ties despite regional tensions.
Image Information:
Image: “Commander of the Iranian army, Major General Abdolrahim Mousavi, shakes hands with the commander of the Belarusian Air Force, Major General Andrei Yulianovich Lukyanovich, in Tehran,” Tasnim News Agency (IRGC-affiliated news source), 7 August 2024.
Source: https://www.tasnimnews.com/en/news/2024/08/07/3135937/generals-urge-promotion-of-iran-belarus-ties
Attribution: CCA-SA 4.0 Intl.