Russia's Deal With Iran

 I know we sound like a broken record, but Ezekiel 38 appears to be taking shape right in front of our eyes.

Notice that Turkey also shows up in the article.

Also notice that Bretton Woods shows up, which was the agreement following WWII that gave the US Dollar the status of WORLD'S ONLY RESERVE CURRENCY.

According to Sergei Lavrov, Russia’s Foreign Minister, Russia is close to signing a comprehensive treaty with Iran that will include defense cooperation. At the moment, there is no text of the agreement nor any detailed description of its actual contents.

Yet hidden behind the Russia-Iran deal is a bid by Russia to become the “peace broker” in the Middle East.

This would enhance Russia regionally and beyond, and would diminish the American position considerably. It is part and parcel of Russian President Vladimir Putin’s goal of attaining international credibility and acceptance two years after the start of Russia’s so-called “Special Military Operation” in Ukraine.

For decades, Russia has been trying to gain influence in Iran, including seeking bases in that country. While Iran has been willing to buy Russian military equipment, or to barter for it — and willing to sell drones and missiles to Russia for use in Ukraine — it has been unwilling to grant any bases. Iran appears to be sticking to that policy now, as there is no hint that Russia will get a military presence on Iranian territory.

Nor is there any suggestion that Russia would come to Iran’s aid if there was an attack on Iranian territory, provoked or unprovoked. In short, Russia is under no obligation to help Iran in case of war.

So, what is Russia hoping to achieve?

While Moscow surely wants to expand its influence in Iran, it also has important relations in the Persian Gulf that it not only wants to protect, but also expand. Major oil producers the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Saudi Arabia are on this list.

The mechanism the Russians — and Chinese — are using to build relations with Iran, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE is BRICS (an acronym for Brazil, Russia, India, China, and — later — South Africa), a group formed in 2001 of then-emerging economies.

Described as an “informal relationship,” it is focused mainly on economic and financial issues. Seeing an opportunity for expanded political as well as economic influence, in December 2023, the BRICS members invited a number of countries to join. Argentina declined after Javier Milei was elected president. Iran, the UAE, Ethiopia, and Egypt  accepted — the last three being long-time US allies and commercial and military partners. Saudi Arabia was invited, but “delayed” a response. Under apparent pressure by the United States, the Saudis have neither confirmed nor denied their intentions.

For the recent BRICS meeting in Kazan, Russia, 38 countries were invited and 32 participated. A surprise participant was UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, which was seen as controversial, since the International Criminal Court (ICC) has issued an arrest warrant for Vladimir Putin, who hosted the meeting. Saudi Arabia’s foreign minister attended as an “observer.”

BRICS is moving toward establishing an alternative banking and currency system to the US-led currency system, known as Bretton Woods, which includes the SWIFT financial transaction processing system. In 2022, as a result of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the US and EU imposed sanctions on a number of Russian banks, which were removed from the SWIFT system.

Meanwhile Turkey, a NATO member, has asked to join BRICS, and Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdoğan attended the summit.  Turkey has been furious with Europe, as the EU has consistently blocked Turkey from EU membership, based on human rights violations, rule of law, and other complaints. As Ankara increasingly turned eastward, Russia sold Turkey sensitive military equipment including the S-400 air defense system, and would like to sell more in future, especially fifth generation jet fighters.

Here;  Russia’s Deal With Iran and Middle East Peace - Algemeiner.com

What an awesome, exciting time to be alive!  We are very likely the generation that qualifies for Jesus' words, "When you see ALL THESE THINGS BEGINNING TO HAPPEN, then lift up your heads (look up!) because your redemption (snatching away?) is near."