Iran has halted implementation of its commitments related to nuclear research and development under the 2015 nuclear deal. The move followed Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif’s trip to Moscow as part of his tour to rally support for the crumbling Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).

The rhetoric from Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov replicated the style of his previous meeting with Zarif in May in Moscow. Both characterized US sanctions as “unilateral illegitimate restrictions” and reemphasized the need to protect bilateral economic projects in the face of continued American dominance in world trade. The two also said countries that are not sanctioned by the United States understand the “abnormality of Washington imposing its unilateral decisions.”

The interim agreement on the free trade zone between Iran and the Russia-led Eurasian Economic Union was also mentioned as a positive factor for bilateral economic ties.

Why it matters: It’s often argued that Russia is the main beneficiary of the US withdrawal from the JCPOA: While Washington and Tehran are at each other throats, the argument goes, Moscow is picking up the low-hanging political and other fruits. Nonetheless, ever since the Kremlin decided to launch the military campaign in Syria, Russia and Iran have been forging all types of ties. The Trump decision to pull out from the nuclear deal didn’t reverse this trend. To further build this image of being a powerful nation able to construct an alternative to the West-centered world order, Russia needs to see its Iranian partner strong, not weakened.