In his first day of talks in Tehran, President Putin has already signed up to a statement with fellow Caspian Sea leaders condemning any use of force in the region and supporting Iran’s right to acquire nuclear technology.

His discussions about co-operation over Caspian Sea energy resources, and likely talks about the completion of a Russian-made nuclear power plant at Bushehr, signal that meaningful sanctions are no longer realistic. The only option left would be unilateral sanctions of the type already imposed by America against Tehran with little effect.

Iran’s press and politicians have not been slow to grasp the significance of the move.

“Just the fact of Putin’s presence on Iranian soil is evidence that the West’s policy of isolation is a failure and can be interpreted as a victory for Iranian diplomacy,” said the newspaper Iran News.

Kazem Jalali, an Iranian MP, described Russia and Iran as “strategic partners” and told state television that the two countries were now on “the same front”.

The biggest casualty from the rapprochement is Iran’s old adversary, America. In the wake of the attacks on September 11, 2001, President Bush relied on Russia’s support in its war on terror. But the Kremlin broke with Washington in the run-up to the invasion of Iraq and has since aggressively pursued its own interests.

Iran will be hoping that the Putin visit has finally destroyed the brief international unity that existed against its nuclear programme and that it is now free to continue its uranium enrichment work undisturbed.

Russia is now at odds with the West over the fate of Kosovo, the breakaway Serb province, policies towards former Soviet republics like Georgia and Ukraine and action against regimes like Iran and Burma.

Part of Moscow’s behaviour is motivated by a sense of betrayal. In particular, it regards Nato’s easterward expansion and America’s plans to build an anti-missile defence shield in Poland and the Czech Republic, as threats to its security.

This could partly explain why it has begun resuming long range strategic bomber patrols over the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans.

However, the consequences of Mr Putin’s diplomatic moves in Iran this week could be exactly the opposite to what he intended.

With the failure of the international communtiy to deal peacefully with the problem of Iran’s nuclear efforts, a military solution could be more likely than ever.

The Bush Administration insists that the use of force against Iran is still an option before the President, a policy supported by many Democrats including Hillary Clinton, the leading presidential candidate.

The new French government under President Nicholas Sarzoky has also refused to rule out military action. The recent raid by Israeli warplanes against a suspected Syrian nuclear facility will have sent a strong signal to Tehran that it could be next.

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