Russian contractor AtomStroyExport (ASE) has unexpectedly announced that it will delay delivering nuclear fuel for the Bushehr nuclear power plant due to problems in receiving payment from the Islamic Republic.

The Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI) has presented sufficient evidence disproving the claim, but the Russian contractor still insists that financial problems have caused it to renege on its pledges.

The Bushehr nuclear power plant has been seen as the symbol of political, economic, and technical cooperation between Tehran and Moscow over the past two decades, and the two countries also significantly boosted their diplomatic relations through cooperation on the station.

Russia played a key role in supporting Iran in the recent negotiations over Tehran’s nuclear program and adopted positive stances toward the Islamic Republic.

But the Russian contractor’s failure to fulfill its commitments shows that Moscow is wavering in its support of allies, which could sully its reputation in the Islamic world.

Although Russia handed the world to the United States on a silver platter after the collapse of the former Soviet Union, the new Kremlin leaders are expected to at least maintain a part of their political clout in the face of U.S. efforts to create a unipolar world system.

As a nuclear power, Russia can continue its previous role of maintaining the international balance of power.

Any move that would allow the U.S. to exploit Russia’s weakness could lead to a rise in regional tensions.

On the other hand, Russia, as an ally of the Islamic countries and Non-Aligned Movement members, should not be swayed by Western policies or tie its national interests to U.S. foreign policy.

Over the past two decades, Islamic nations have been closely observing Iran-Russia political and economic relations to see whether Russia can regain its former superpower status and create a new bloc to challenge the hegemonic powers.

In addition, Iran, which can act as a link between Russia and Muslim countries, has realized that Moscow does not have a strategic view toward its relations with the Islamic world.

If Russia decides to shirk its commitments in regard to the Bushehr station, Iran will have to reconsider its major policies and lean toward the West by softening some of its positions.

Of course, some Western countries are waiting in the wings to engage with Iran in order to marginalize Russia. But who will benefit from this scenario?

Russia currently has a very important place in Iran’s foreign policy and the previous cooperation has proven Iran’s goodwill toward Russia.

However, if the Bushehr plant issue becomes a point of contention in Tehran-Moscow relations, there could be serious repercussions for Moscow in the Islamic world.