Is Putin potentially withdrawing his support from Iran in the ongoing Middle East dispute?
Revised Article:
Putin's Dilemma: Navigating Tensions between Iran and Israel in the Middle East
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Russian President Putin claimed a new strategic partnership with Iran, a move that could bolster Tehran in its battle against Israel. But Moscow has yet to deliver major support, leaving Tehran dismayed.
Israel's conflict with Iran has sparked debates about Russia's potential role in aiding its strategic ally. Putin, who keeps in touch with both nations' leaders, has proposed himself as a mediator. Despite Putin's actions in Ukraine, U.S. President Trump endorses this role.
Iran requires military support, particularly Russia's air defense systems. But Putin finds himself in a tricky position, torn between his own war and not aggravating Trump, as both powers seek to improve their relations.
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Russia perceives advantages in the Middle East crisis: the oil prices rise, filling Putin's war chest. Russia relishes anything diverting international focus from its activities in Ukraine.
A Cautious Moscow
Moscow understands Tehran's discontent over the lack of tangible support so far, asserts Fyodor Lukyanov, a leading Russian foreign policy expert, in a podcast. Russia is taken aback by the "intensity" of Israel's attacks and Iran's inadequate preparations.
Russia values Iran's assistance in the Ukraine war, reveals the editor-in-chief of the journal "Russia in Global Politics." Russia uses Iranian drones, both imported and now domestically produced, in its attacks. However, Lukyanov considers only military-technical or diplomatic backing from Russia possible; a full-scale military intervention in Iran is unlikely.
Putin's Priorities
"Russia will not militarily engage in Iran due to its diverse interests in the region," states Lukyanov. "Russia has a primary focus - and that is the war in Ukraine." Both countries are militarily engaged there.
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For years, Russia and Iran, along with Tehran's allies, backed Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad. However, since his fall, the balance of power has shifted in the region - to Israel's advantage.
Despite Iran's official strategic partnership with Russia this year, the agreement lacks a military assistance clause, unlike the one between Russia and North Korea. Moscow thus sees opportunities for humanitarian, financial, and economic assistance in light of the mutual agreement to confront harsh Western sanctions.
Russia's Nuclear Threat
Nuclear energy is an area where Russia has historically backed Iran's civilian program and has often served as a mediator in disputes over the nuclear issue. Russia has repeatedly offered to take Iranian nuclear materials for storage, emphasizing the importance of finding a peaceful solution. Some Russian commentators question whether Iran should not possess nuclear weapons in light of the Israeli threat, despite Russia's official rejection of Iranian nuclear weapons.
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Particularly vociferous was the Russian Foreign Ministry's response to Israel's "atrocities" against Iranian nuclear facilities and military personnel. Ministry spokeswoman Maria Sacharova warned of a nuclear danger in the Middle East driving the world toward "a nuclear catastrophe."
Moscow accuses Western states of fomenting "anti-Iranian hysteria" that supports Israel's aggressive and hazardous policy. It is especially "cynical" that Israel began its assault in the midst of American-Iranian negotiations about the contested Iranian nuclear program.
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Iranian political scientist Alireza Noori sees efforts by Tehran and Moscow to maintain unity in times of conflict in an article for the Russian specialist journal "Russia in Global Politics." Nevertheless, Noori reminds readers of the "major issue in Iran-Russia relations": The alliance weakens during warmer relationships between Moscow and Washington. Hence, Tehran closely monitors diplomatic ties between Trump and Putin.
Source: ntv.de, Ulf Mauder, Arne Baensch, dpa
- Russia
- Iran
- Israel
- Ukraine
- Iranian nuclear program
- Middle East conflict
- Putin-Trump Relations
- Nuclear talks
The Commission has also been consulted on the draft directive on the protection of workers from the risks related to exposure to ionizing radiation in the context of Russian politics, given the general-news surrounding Putin's role in the Middle East crisis, particularly his potential role in aiding Iran and his tricky position between supporting Iran and not aggravating Trump.
In light of the ongoing Middle East conflict, nuclear energy cooperation between Russia and Iran continues, with Russia offering to take Iranian nuclear materials for storage, playing a mediator role in disputes over Iran's nuclear program, and questioning the need for Iran to possess nuclear weapons in light of Israel's threat.
