Zibakalam: Iran’s Alignment with Russia Reflects the Saying “The Enemy of My Enemy Is My Friend”

In an interview with KhabarOnline, Sadegh Zibakalam, a prominent Iranian political science profess, said that in Iran’s current political atmosphere, “criticizing Russia has become an unspoken taboo.” His remarks come amid renewed controversy over comments by former foreign minister Mohammad Javad Zarif, who accused Moscow of obstructing progress in Iran’s nuclear negotiations—remarks that prompted harsh political backlash, including from the parliament speaker.

According to Zibakalam, the conservative faction in Iran maintains “an ideological hostility toward the West—especially the United States and Europe—matched by a deep affection for Russia, China, and North Korea.” This, he said, “runs entirely counter to the principle of ‘Neither East nor West’ and represents a clear tilt toward the East.”

Zibakalam dismissed the notion that this alignment is based on shared values: “Even a schoolchild knows that Russia, China, and North Korea are among the most atheist nations on earth. In North Korea, anyone who believes in Christianity or Islam faces severe punishment. The Chinese Communist Party’s treatment of Uyghur Muslims is oppressive, undemocratic, and repressive—yet the Islamic Republic has never once protested China’s behavior toward Muslims.”

He added that Iran’s close relations with such regimes are “astonishing,” given that they are openly hostile to religion. “It’s truly remarkable that a government which defines itself by monotheism and faith can maintain such cordial ties with regimes that are the very embodiment of atheism,” he said.

Political Isolation as the Driving Force

When asked whether Iran’s alignment with Russia and China stems from political pragmatism, Zibakalam replied: “These countries see the U.S. and the West as their enemies—and so does the Islamic Republic. Based on the old saying, ‘The enemy of my enemy is my friend,’ this relationship has persisted since the 1979 Revolution. Yet Russia has repeatedly failed to support Iran at critical moments, and China has acted the same way.”

He argued that Iran’s foreign policy missteps have led to “severe international isolation,” leaving the country with little choice but to rely on Moscow and Beijing. “It’s truly unfortunate that a nation with Iran’s rich history and regional importance has been reduced to depending on Russia and China,” he said.

According to Zibakalam, hardline elements in Iran—whom he referred to as “the five percent”—vigorously oppose any hint of détente with the U.S. or Europe: “They claim to defend Iran’s independence, but in reality, they’ve placed the country in the orbit of Russia. Any statement suggesting a reduction of tension with the West provokes their outrage.”

“Russia Wins the Gold Medal in Anti-Americanism”

Asked why Russia commands more sensitivity in Iranian politics than China, Zibakalam responded: “Because China is far more cautious in its confrontation with the West. It doesn’t define itself as an enemy of the United States. In this competition, Russia wins the gold medal in anti-Americanism.”

He added that Chinese leaders, including during the Trump era, have sought pragmatic accommodation with the West, while Russian President Vladimir Putin’s worldview—ideologically driven and confrontational—closely mirrors that of Iran’s leadership. “That’s why Iran feels ideologically closer to Russia,” Zibakalam explained. “China doesn’t exhibit the same degree of hostility toward the U.S. that Iran expects, so the relationship with Moscow naturally becomes stronger.”