USSR 1991

Iran, which is now accumulating nuclear technology experience, naturally asks its big brother, the Soviet Union, hoping to help them build a nuclear power plant to develop its own nuclear energy resources.So Yanayev was not at all surprised when he received the news that Lafsanjani was going to visit Moscow.I believe that within Iran, Rafsanjani and Iran's spiritual leader Khamenei have already negotiated everything, and they will build their own nuclear power plants in the territory despite all difficulties.

Originally in history, Russia planned to help Iran build the first Bushehr nuclear power plant in 1995, with a total cost of US$10 billion and a designed installed capacity of 1000 megawatts. The content of the contract stipulated that the nuclear power plant should be completed in 1999, but later due to political and economic reasons This project has been delayed again and again.

After helping the British nuclear power plant to improve safety measures before, the Soviet Union has already established a reputation for nuclear power plant technology, so Rafsanjani is excited to find the Soviet Union to build a nuclear power plant for himself, but now there is a problem in front of the Soviet Union. It is whether to help Iran build this nuclear power plant.If you help Iran build a nuclear power plant, if you have the confidence and ambition to develop your own nuclear weapons in the future, the US and the Soviet Union will be restless.But if it refuses, then after the United States sends Saddam to the gallows, the next one will target Rafsanjani or Khamenei.

After thinking about it, Yanayev still decided to help Iran build a nuclear power plant, but the Soviet Union will not provide Iran with all the technology, and the core technology can only be solved by Soviet nuclear engineers, so the Soviet Union is going to eat up to one billion. projects, without paying a real price.

This is not even considered an official state visit. Rafsanjani did not make any stops after he arrived in Moscow, but went straight to the Kremlin. He was eager to meet Yanayev and proposed the construction of the nuclear power plant. project.

"Did I hear you right? President Rafsanjani, Iran wants the Soviet Union to help you build a nuclear power plant?" Yanayev replied pretending to be surprised when he heard Rafsanjani's request.In fact, Yanayev, whose heart is as bright as a mirror, already knew the intention of the other party, but he didn't order it.

How could a mere one-billion-dollar construction satisfy Yanayev's huge appetite?

"Yes, I hope the Soviet government can help us build a nuclear power plant. After all, Iran's power resources are relatively scarce, but nuclear energy can make up for this shortcoming very well." Rafsanjani replied solemnly, but looked at Yanaya Husband's expression that seemed to be a smile was not a smile, and he suddenly felt a little guilty.

But Yanayev's seemingly inadvertent answer gave Rafsanjani a shock from the blue sky, "If I'm not mistaken, the news and news about mineral excavation in the Yazd area have suddenly decreased recently. I think You should have dug the legendary uranium mine, otherwise you wouldn’t disappear suddenly. Of course, you can also choose to deny it, but don’t forget that it’s not just you, there are many pairs of eyes in the sky. Watching every move of Iran."

The eyes Yanayev mentioned refers to the spy satellites of the United States. If this news is leaked, let alone the United States, the detection satellites and high-altitude reconnaissance planes of the five permanent members of the United Nations will keep a close eye on the Yazd area. , An ambitious South Africa has already exhausted them physically and mentally. How about an Iran that is not afraid of sanctions or death?It is uncertain what kind of crazy attack the maddened United States will carry out.

Yanayev's words pierced Rafsanjani's eardrums. He was a little shocked. Why did Yanayev know that the uranium mine had been discovered?

"Chairman Yanayev, we are not deliberately concealing this point. We must know that if such a major incident is leaked, it will inevitably attract the coveted eyes of the Americans. They dream about how to sanction Iran, and uranium mining has no It’s different from providing an excellent excuse for their sanctions.” Rafsanjani eagerly wanted to explain to Yanayev that things were not as he imagined, and everything was a misunderstanding.

"For this matter, the Soviet Union maintains the same cautious attitude as the United States. Although we pointed out the specific location of the uranium mine to you, the actions of Iran really make us worry." Yanayev He started to fool Rafsanjani. He knew that the other party urgently wanted civilian nuclear technology, but Yanayev wanted to make the other party feel anxious, so that he could sit on the ground and create conditions.

Rafsanjani gritted his teeth and asked straight to the point, "So what kind of conditions does the Soviet Union want to provide us with nuclear weapon technology? Please also propose a price and plan."

"We have calculated before that this project will cost 17 billion, and no core technology will be provided. All core technology operations must be completed under the supervision of Soviet engineers. This is our condition."

After Yanayev finished speaking, he added, "And once it finds signs of developing from civilian nuclear technology to military nuclear weapons, the Soviet Union will withdraw all nuclear physics engineers. This is our additional condition. If Iran is not willing to accept If not, forgive us for not exporting civilian nuclear technology to you."

Rafsanjani fell silent. He was thinking about whether the conditions offered by Yanayev were feasible. After 1 minute, he replied, "We cannot accept the price of [-] billion. This is for Iran's current finances. It is too difficult and demanding. We hope that the Soviet Union can reduce the cost of construction."

"It's not impossible to reduce the construction cost." Yanayev deliberately made a embarrassed expression, spreading his hands and said, "But reducing the cost means that we have to save materials. If Iran is not worried about something like Chernobyl If an accident like the Bailey Nuclear Power Plant turns a certain piece of fertile soil in the territory into a dead place with an astonishing nuclear radiation dose, then we are willing to reduce these essential costs."

Yanayev persuaded Rafsanjani to accept the design by means of half threat and half persuasion.However, seeing the other party seemed to be very embarrassed about the price, Yanayev proposed other plans.

"You take our plan back and study it first. If it is suitable, we can use another way to trade."

3Chapter 16 Military Advisory Group

"Another way to make a deal? What kind of way?" Rafsanjani asked rhetorically. I don't know why Yanayev's words came out of Yanayev's mouth, and there was a taste of conspiracy, which is the most indispensable thing in Iran now. It is the oil field. If the Soviet Union wants Iran to exchange the oil field for the construction of a nuclear power plant, as long as the lease time and rent are not too excessive, they are willing to accept it.

However, the Soviet Union, known as the "big Saudi Arabia", does not look down on Iran's oil fields at all. They already have enough oil and minerals. Even in Africa, there are many multinational groups with the Soviet government as the background for the fiery African people. Bring a more flaming drug and gun trade.In just four years, with the help of the polar bear's military influence, those multinational groups have made a lot of money in Africa. Naturally, the Soviet government will not publicize the income from this secret channel.If these multinational groups had not provided jobs for the disbanded soldiers of the Soviet Union, the turmoil after 1991 alone would have caused headaches for the central government.

"It's about the arms trade between the Soviet Union and Iran. The situation in Iraq has been in dire straits recently. Has it not sounded the alarm for the Iranian government? Or do you really believe that the goal of the Americans is just an Iraq that violates humanitarianism? Dictator Saddam?" Yanayev pointedly pointed out the US conspiracy, "They just want to use Iraq to disrupt the situation in the Middle East. After defeating Saddam, the next step is Iran or Syria."

As the watchdog of the Soviet Union in the Middle East, it is much easier to persuade Bashar in Syria than Iran, so Yanayev wants to chew on Rafsanjani's tough bone first, and Khamenei, who is even tougher behind him Yi.

"The Arab Spring, which discounts the banner of freedom and democracy, is aimed at the entire Middle East world. I think Rafsanjani or Khamenei sees it more far-reaching."

Yanayev's words were like a wake-up call, ringing Iran's confusion. Khamenei mentioned before that if the United States invades Iraq, Iran must provide military assistance and support, because once Iraq is lost, Iran will be alone Facing the powerful attack of the United States.Without the guys who huddle together to keep warm, Iran may end up like Iraq in the end.

Unfortunately, not long after Khamenei's warning, Iraq erupted.Now Saddam's life and death are uncertain, and the Iraqi army has been going downhill since the last glory of the bloody battle in Baghdad, and has been defeated repeatedly.Coupled with the Kurdish armed riots, and the opposition against Saddam Hussein's rule in the southwestern city and Saddam's army, and the Iraqi mechanized infantry division that surrendered to the US army and became the pawn of the US army, Iraq is facing The situation is even more chaotic and worse than in the 60s.

"What weapons does the Soviet Union want to sell us this time? Tanks?" Rafsanjani naturally wouldn't agree to any request when he didn't know what Yanayev had in mind.

"This time the Soviet Union agreed to sell the most advanced MiG-29 and Su-27 fighter jets to Iran to offset part of the construction funds for the nuclear power plant. I don't think you will refuse such a condition." Yanayev asked.

Although the Soviet Union seemed not so humanitarian to India, it was quite conscientious towards other arms sales targets.Especially in 1991 when the Far Eastern Military Region abolished its troops, just selling the second-hand original T72 tanks to Iran was enough to touch the heart.So now hearing that the Soviet Union is willing to sell the Su-27 to Iran, this is enough to sing praises to real pigs to praise the friendship between the two countries.

After Yanayev saw Rafsanjani's expression, he knew that the other party was tempted, because the current Iranian Air Force can no longer be the same as before.Although during the Gulf War in 1991, Iraqi Air Force pilots who were attacked by the US military flew a large number of planes to defect to Iran, and these planes were taken in by Iran, and most of them were subsequently incorporated into the Iranian Air Force.However, most of the American F-14 Panda, F4 Phantom and F5 Tiger fighter jets lack replacement parts, which has greatly weakened the military strength of the Iranian Air Force.

So Rafsanjani's joy can be imagined when he heard that the Soviet Union was willing to sell a large number of MiG-29s and Su-27s.The service of Soviet fighter jets will greatly improve the insufficient combat effectiveness of the Iranian Air Force, and it will also add a potential risk to the provocative United States, which is a very cost-effective deal.

"If you are willing to purchase a large number of orders, then we are willing to reduce the construction cost of the nuclear power plant by [-] million yuan. Of course, all materials will not contain any moisture. We will pay for the part of the nuclear power plant's lost funds. Well, we have one additional request."

"What request?" Rafsanjani asked.

"If you want to equip Su-style fighter jets on a large scale, you need an advisory group to help and guide Iranian pilots in air and ground training..."

Before Yanayev finished speaking, Rafsanjani shook his head and interrupted Yanayev, not giving him a chance to continue, "We choose to refuse because we will not let any foreign team The presence of troops in Iran is an act of trampling on our national sovereignty."

It is not that the Soviet Union has no experience in sending advisory groups. It has sent advisory groups in Egypt and Iraq.However, these advisory groups often control their military power, turning a country's armed forces into branches and vassals of the Soviet army in disguise.For example, Saddam's air force echelon before the Iran-Iraq War was basically a flying brigade under the control of the Soviet Union.

"But this is also the way to save the fate of your country." Yanayev showed an irresistible toughness. He pointed out the external situation facing Iran now, "Please tell me that the United States has been able to ignore a veto The right to directly launch a war, so what is the difference between sending troops to Iraq and sending troops to Iran? It is just a matter of who comes first. The United Nations has been unable to stop the United States, so the only thing that can stop the United States is the Soviet Union, which has comparable military strength. "

"As long as the Soviet Union has a place to garrison, they dare not start a war brazenly. Saddam became an outcast in this game because everyone has abandoned him. But Iran is different. Your geographical location and Oil resources are too important to the United States. So after the United States has dealt with Saddam Hussein, the next one will turn its guns on you."

Yanayev was right about one thing. Sacrificing part of his sovereign interests now is much better than the tragic ending of his last regime overthrow.

"Of course, part of the Soviet Union's rescue of Iran was also out of selfishness. As one of the three allies in the Middle East, Iraq has become a country in turmoil. If there is another turmoil in Syria and Iran, then the United States will win a big victory in the Middle East. At that time, you and I don’t want to see this scene happen. Moreover, the Central Asian region of the Soviet Union is a politically unstable place adjacent to the Middle East. Once you collapse, the chain reaction of dominoes will put the Soviet Union in an extremely passive position. under state."

Rafsanjani was silent for a while. At this time, he no longer had the enthusiasm he had when negotiating with the Soviet Union. He was lost in thought about the questions Yanayev raised.Of course, Yanayev does not expect the other party to accept his opinions at once. He only hopes that President Lafsanjani can carefully consider his own ideas. As long as he does not dislike Yanayev's views, then Lafsanja Ni is half the battle.

"I need to think about the question raised by Chairman Yanayev, at least I can't decide it alone." Rafsanjani did not show strong opposition, but emphasized that he had to go back and think about it.This gave Yanayev hope. If an advisory group can be stationed in Iran, the possibility of the United States attacking Iran will drop by several percentage points.

"Then I will wait for the good news from President Rafsanjani, and hope that we can toast the friendship between the Soviet Union and Iran at the state banquet tonight."

3Chapter 17 The Shield of the Iron Curtain

After Rafsanjani returned to China, he had a heated discussion with Khamenei on whether to set up a Soviet military advisory group in the country. The former believed that under controllable circumstances, a Soviet advisory group could be allowed to appear in Iran to help them train and deter US military.On the other hand, Khamenei believes that the Soviet Union and the United States are equally unbelievable. They will sincerely help Iran build a powerful air force?

Yanayev had already started planning a visit to Damascus while Iran was raging over the issue.The timing of the visit coincided with the brutal street battles between the United States and Saddam Hussein's forces in other Iraqi cities. Yanayev tried to express his attitude and position to the United States in this way.

Because of the Iraq war, there is now a political cloud in Iran. Although Hafez Assad is still the president of Syria on the surface, and the most loyal watchdog of the Soviet Union in the Middle East, everyone is starting to worry about their gloomy future. get worried.Especially seeing the strong performance of the United States in the Iraq War, Iraq, known as the Fourth Army, achieved excellent results in the hand-to-hand street battles in Baghdad, and was defeated repeatedly against the American armored forces at other times. situation.

Now Assad urgently needs the asylum of the Soviet Union, and he can't help but accept the olive branch thrown by Yanayev at this time.Yanayev's visit to Damascus seems to be particularly concerned.At this time, Damascus seemed calm under Assad's tough tactics, and those who wanted to take advantage of the US invasion of Iraq were ruthlessly suppressed by Assad.

But even Assad understands that the calm at this time can only last for a short period of time. After the United States has established a firm foundation in Iraq, it will begin to eliminate those forces that prevent it from controlling the Middle East. Iran and Syria will bear the brunt of the Americans. An object to clear.

When Assad met Yanayev at the presidential palace, he held Yanayev's right hand tightly as if he saw a savior. He said to Yanayev, "Thank you to the Soviet President for being able to do so at such a critical moment. Stand up and save the future of Damascus."

Yanayev just smiled calmly and said, "The future of Damascus is in the hands of the Syrian people, not the Soviet Union. We can only provide a red guarantee for the future of Damascus. Protect you from being Infested by demons from the West."

Yanayev's words have made it very clear that they are willing to provide Damascus with asylum rights to prevent the Americans from extending the war to Syria.After Yanayev sat down with President Assad, he began to explain his point of view to the "Lion of Damascus", "The Soviet Union is willing to help rebuild an air force for Damascus to deal with the US invasion war that may occur at any time .”

Assad couldn't believe his ears, helping Syria build an air force?Everyone knows that since the Bekaa Valley air battle, Israel has turned the Syrian military from a regional powerhouse into a crippled air force.Especially after many years without replacement, Syria's air force has neither started modernization upgrades nor has the opportunity to replace damaged airframe parts. The vast majority of aircraft face the risk of forced retirement.

"MiG-29 and Su-27 fighter jets, we are willing to provide all the spare parts needed by Syrian fighter jets and help Syria rebuild a strong air force. What do you think of President Assad?" Yanayev asked.

Provide Syria's long-awaited MiG-29 fighter jets and Su-27 fighter jets to help revitalize the Syrian Air Force Armed Forces. At this time, the Soviet Union is simply the savior of Syria.Just when President Assad was about to agree, Yanayev proposed additional conditions, which were to set up a Soviet air force base in Syria and provide Syria with a military advisory group to train the latest pilots.

Assad did not show Rafsanjani's shock, but asked softly, "Set up an air force base in Syria? Is this a preparation for a tough confrontation with the United States?"

"No." Yanayev replied, "I am preparing to provide friends with an iron curtain asylum. As long as there is a Soviet air force, the United States will not dare to launch an air strike at will. Knowing that other countries are attacking the Soviet air force in Syria Does base mean anything?"

"What does it mean?" Assad asked rhetorically.