Tank the Iran Deal? I’m all for it! It seems that the Kremlin is very very nervous about how the world is viewing them these days. No sooner does it becomes apparent that much of the world isn’t happy with Putin, and is scrambling to cut the country off from everything, suddenly Russia gets worried about their own supply chain. OIL

Moscow is throwing up last-minute demands that could scupper an international nuclear deal with Iran — and the timing is unlikely to be coincidental as the Kremlin frets about the growing threat to its critical oil revenue after its invasion of Ukraine.

Hopes had been high that international negotiators from the permanent five members of the U.N. Security Council, Germany and the EU would be able to secure a deal with Tehran on Saturday to put strict limits on Iran’s atomic work in exchange for sanctions relief for the Islamic Republic.

Such a deal would bring significant volumes of Iranian crude oil back to global energy markets in the months ahead, and that could spell trouble for Russian President Vladimir Putin. The return of Iranian supplies would help offset market turmoil and price spikes if the West were to ramp up its sanctions against Moscow over the war in Ukraine and ban Russian crude sales.

What is HIGHLY amusing about all of this is A. Russia was front and center on the original Iran Deal negotiations. B. Suddenly Russia is worried about their own oil sales. Gee, I wonder what has happened?

First, I’d venture to say that, during the original Iran Deal, Russia was all in because they KNEW they’d make bank on oil sales while Iran faltered. Secondly, as I noted in previous posts, Iran gets to start selling oil again with this  revamped deal. Want to bet, in order to start money rolling in, Iran will sell at whatever price the buyers set? Russia sure as hell can’t compete with that. Third, as the U.S. and NATO start discussing and planning for additional ways to assist Ukraine, the Kremlin is now very concerned. 

Furthermore, Russia is also now worried about the additional support coming from the U.S. and other countries. 

The U.S. is exploring a deal in which Poland would send Soviet-era aircraft to Ukraine in return for American F-16 jet fighters, U.S. officials said Saturday, in the latest bid to help Ukraine respond to Russia’s invasion.

The deal would require White House approval and congressional action, U.S. officials said.

The disclosure of a possible deal followed Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s impassioned plea to Capitol Hill for assistance in obtaining more lethal military aid, especially Russian-made jet fighters that Ukrainian pilots can fly. Mr. Zelensky also supported a proposal to ban U.S. imports of Russian oil, in a video call Saturday morning with members of Congress.

Why would the Kremlin suddenly backpedal on this? Is it because they are having their ass handed to them on the battlefield? Or is it because the economic sanctions are killing the country?

My source says the problem is there are no clear parameters for what is an act of war, what triggers article 5 – saying "it’s frustrating because it is all irrelevant with Putin – he wasn’t provoked to go across the border, he didn’t get provoked to blow up pediatric hospitals”

— Jacqui Heinrich (@JacquiHeinrich) March 5, 2022

Well, YES. Putin is following his own playbook. He always has and right now is digging even deeper. Except that his intransigence has led to the ruble tanking. It’s in the very bottom of the toilet right now. 

Adding to that is Visa and Mastercard shut everyone down in Russia. 

Pleased to hear that @Mastercard & @Visa will be suspending all their operations in #Russia effective immediately. https://t.co/rqSGrL12n2

— Congressman Brad Sherman (@BradSherman) March 5, 2022

Is it any wonder that Visa and Mastercard shutting the pipeline down would add to the Kremlin’s stress levels?

Did you catch that? Not only is the Kremlin wanting to shore up their economic bottom line, China is worried as well. 

Will the Kremlin suddenly digging in their heels on the Iran Deal be enough to tank it altogether? I highly doubt that. Biden wants this deal, and is evident by the concessions already given, the deal will continue whether the Kremlin its involved or not. 

President Biden is negotiating with Russia on an Iran deal as Putin rains down horror on Ukraine and the world. To announce a new deal now would be a monumental mistake and the worst possible message to Iran, Russia, and all of America’s enemies.

— Nikki Haley (@NikkiHaley) March 4, 2022

I’m all for letting Putin sit and spin. HOWEVER, He needs to be held accountable for his actions. No, I’m not talking about taking him out. I’m talking  about hitting him where it hurts. Economically and his EGO. He’s getting hit with both right now and the pain should continue. However, we must also beware of the cornered raccoon. They can be vicious when under attack. 

Feature Photo Credit: Kremlin photo via Pixabay, cropped and modified