Vengeance

18 TEHRAN, IRAN

Russian Foreign Minister Marat Trutnev peered out the side window of his black sedan as it wound through the center of Tehran, home to a population of over nine million. Joining Trutnev in the back of the car was the Russian ambassador to Iran, Danil Morozov, who would translate during this afternoon’s meeting with Trutnev’s Iranian counterpart.

The sedan glided to a halt in front of Iran’s foreign ministry building, where the Russians were greeted and escorted by Iranian diplomatic aides into Shahrbani Palace, which spread across twenty-one thousand hectares. Trutnev admired the building’s architecture, inspired by the Apadana reception hall in Persepolis, where Achaemenid kings had greeted visitors and foreign dignitaries. He was escorted past a decorative frieze of ancient Persian soldiers and into the vaulted entrance supported by immense stone columns topped with ornately carved capitals. Despite the ancient heritage imbued in its exterior, the palace was commonly referred to as simply Building 9 of the House of Commons.

Trutnev and Morozov were led through the building, which was decorated with artistic mirrors and intricate stucco designs, entering a conference room belonging to the Iranian minister of foreign affairs. Minister Koorush Shirvani and a single aide joined the two Russians for the small, private meeting Trutnev had requested. Considering the topics of today’s meeting, Trutnev found it fortunate that Iran’s ministry of foreign affairs was now responsible for negotiations concerning Iran’s nuclear weapons program, which had previously been carried out by Iran’s Supreme National Security Council. Shirvani would be keenly interested in the arrangement Trutnev would propose today.

After the standard diplomatic pleasantries, with Morozov and his Iranian counterpart translating, Shirvani shifted to business. “I understand that your government has a proposal for us. What is the topic?”

Trutnev decided to delay a direct answer, providing instead a meandering response designed to stroke Shirvani’s ego. “I must first reiterate Russia’s sincere appreciation for your country’s assistance during our recent conflict with the United States in the Arabian Sea. Providing access to Iranian territory and military bases for Russian air and missile forces created the advantage we needed while engaging the American Pacific Fleet.” Trutnev avoided discussing the battle’s outcome, which had eventually swung in America’s favor.

Shirvani nodded his appreciation for Trutnev’s words, and he also did not comment on the devastating losses Russia had incurred in the battle. All four of America’s heavily damaged aircraft carriers had completed repairs and were back in service, while the bulk of the Russian Pacific Fleet’s surface ships still rested on the bottom of the Arabian Sea.

The Iranian foreign minister replied, “Iran values and appreciates the support Russia has provided to our country in the past, and allowing Russian forces onto our land was the least we could do. Our assistance did not go unpunished, however. American and European sanctions were intensified, and we still feel those effects today. If you are here to discuss a similar arrangement as before, it is unlikely that your proposal will be well-received.”

“I am aware of the potential difficulties my proposal may face,” Trutnev replied. “But we request only a small task, and the reward will be great.”

The promise of great reward elicited a raised eyebrow. “How can we assist?” Shirvani asked.

Trutnev went on to explain the single task Iran would need to complete and its timing. “Of course,” he added, “we will provide the necessary equipment to conduct the effort.”

The Iranian minister of foreign affairs considered Trutnev’s request, then replied, “The Americans will eventually determine that Iran was responsible and will undoubtedly strike back militarily or economically. Russia will need to provide significant incentive for us to execute this task.”

“How about one thousand gas centrifuges, the newest Russian design?”

Shirvani’s eyes brightened at the offer. “What are the specifications?”

Trutnev looked to Ambassador Morozov, who opened a black leather satchel and retrieved a folder, which he gave to Shirvani.

“The centrifuge details are contained therein,” Trutnev said. “I’m certain that you’ll find these centrifuges far superior to anything you have in inventory or are designing.”

Shirvani perused the first sheet in the folder, then leaned back in his chair, studying Trutnev. After a long moment, he replied, “I will see what I can arrange.”