Moscow, February 11 (Interfax-AVN) - Russia's decision to cut back on cooperation with Iran may lead to serious consequences, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said on Feb. 11.
"We can interact on regional and international levels. I believe Iran is acting reasonably, and I think the Russian leaders are assessing the current international situation right. Otherwise, Russia’s condition will not be very good," Ahmadinejad said in an interview with the Russian magazine VIP Premier.
"We have been claiming for thirty years that we are against any pressure. But the pressure is growing. However, no pressure will have any effect on us. They cannot dismember Iran. But what can Russia expect? We believe Russia might face a large number of threats. Carelessness may cause great damage," he said.
"The goal of NATO’s enlargement east is Russia, and extremist groups spreading from south to north are also directed against Russia as well as against India and China," he said.
"Iran is perfectly aware of its role in this situation and protects its southern flank like a strong wall. Surely, we expect cooperation with Russia in this aspect," he said.
"Our geographical neighborliness gives us a good chance, which we should take with reason and trust. We do not want to go to war with anyone, but we need to protect ourselves," he said.
"If NATO and extremists advance further and further and if we let them into our boundaries, we will find ourselves in a very difficult situation," Ahmadinejad said.
