64 years on, and although there is no Joseph Stalin, another strong man of Russia is in Tehran. Back in 1943, Stalin with Roosevelt and Churchill wanted to thwart the threats of Nazi Germany and its allies (متحدین). Back then Iran's oil was of huge importance, as was its strategic position next to Russia and the biggest part of the British empire in India. The thorn in the side was the then Shah, Reza Pahlavi, who resented the European influence in his country, and was rumoured to have sympathy for Aryan Germans. Iran means the land of the Aryans in Persian after all, and is the name that its natives have always used for it.

Anyhow, back then, the conference led to the Shah's displacement with his young son, the allies (متفقین) based themselves in Iran, the crossroad of victory, and there was no more direct Russian influence. With the threatening Soviets next door, US and Britain kept influence, and even military bases in the case of the US in Iran. After the Islamic disaster of a revolution and ousting of the Americans, the Brits remained, especially in the form of oil companies and industry!

Today, with the world order still struggling to shape itself, Iran's oil (and now gas) are hugely important, while the country itself doesn't really follow anyone's political line any more. With a new idealogy of Islamism, it's trying to establish itself as the leader of the world's Muslims. Its nuclear ambitions, peaceful or not, are a side show. Influence, power and military might are more important! So, to this end Vladimir Putin is in Tehran today.

His name (پوتین) in Persian means boots, and he is a strong boot wearing man, even if not physically speaking. It'll be with great interest that the world and I will watch what he'll do and say. Already he is asking the Caspian neighbours of Iran not to let anyone strike it from their bases. He does NOT want war there, no matter what. There's already enough going on in the region.

Will he be using Iran as a card in his cool war against the Americans? Are the Iranians using him as their defence shield in achieving something?

This humble observer thinks both of the above are right, and as Putin is stayin in power after his presidency, he's setting up the region and his world. The Iranians, at least one faction, are relying on Russian protection, as they can't afford sanctions, nor to go to a war.