Russia potentially scaling back support for Iran amid Middle Eastern tensions?
Confusion in Tehran: Is Putin Leaving Iran in a Bind Amid Middle East Tensions?
The Russian President's announcement of a strategic partnership with Iran has raised anticipations in Tehran, but the aide has been lacking so far. Iran, battling Israel, could use a Russian hand, but Putin finds himself in a tight spot – balancing between his own war and maintaining good terms with Trump.
The question of how Russia might assist Iran, as a strategic ally, in its war against Israel hasn't gone unnoticed, globally. With Putin maintaining contacts with both parties, he aims to position himself as a facilitator. Trump himself agrees – despite Putin's own controversial moves in Ukraine.
Iran calls for military assistance, specifically Russian air defenses. However, Putin walks a tightrope, wary of escalating hostilities, and afraid of hurting his rapport with Trump, as Moscow and Washington edge closer.
Analysis Are Iran's Leaders Ready to Bail Out? Muller: "A Huddle of Dictators in Moscow Could Be in the Works"
Russia doesn't view the Middle East conflict solely as a detriment – the surging oil prices due to the conflict enrich Putin's war chest. Moreover, anything that diverts global attention from Russia's actions against Ukraine is welcomed in the Kremlin.
Russia is taken aback by Israel's aggression, says renowned Russia foreign policy expert Fjodor Lukjanow in a podcast. Tehran, too, laments the absence of concrete support. Moscow, meanwhile, acknowledges the Israeli "brutality" and marvels at Iran's poor preparation for the attacks.
Russia appreciates Iran's support in the Ukraine war, admits the chief editor of the journal "Russia in Global Politics." Moscow even uses Iranian-made drones for its assaults. Nevertheless, Lukjanow foresees only military-technical or diplomatic support from Russia, not a full-scale military intervention in Iran.
Analysis The Struggle for Normalcy After Long Years of War: Syrians Yearn for Peace
For years, Russia and Iran, along with Tehran-backed militias, have been the chief allies of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. However, in the face of Assad's fall, power dynamics in the region have shifted in favor of Israel.
Though the partnership between Russia and Iran, officially declared this year, lacks a clause for mutual military support, akin to the agreement Russia has with North Korea – it opens possibilities for humanitarian, financial, and economic aid, given the mutual solidarity pledged by both sides in the face of harsh Western sanctions.
Russia warns of a nuclear danger.
Russia Advocates for Peaceful Civilian Use of Nuclear Power in Iran, Acts as a Broker in the Conflict
As a nuclear power, Russia has consistently advocated for Iran's civilian use of nuclear energy and often acted as a peacemaker in the crisis surrounding Iran's nuclear program. The Kremlin has yet again offered to store nuclear materials from Iran in Russia. It emphasizes constantly that every possible effort should be made to achieve peace. Some Moscow commentators question whether Iran should not possess nuclear weapons, given the Israeli threat. Officially, Russia opposes the idea of Iran obtaining nuclear weapons.
More Than 12,000 Warheads: Nuclear Arsenals Still Hold Power Despite Treaty
The Russian Ministry reacted starkly, accusing Israel, a nuclear power, of "atrocities" after attacks on Iranian nuclear facilities and military targets. The tone was unusually harsh and bold. Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova alerts of a nuclear danger in the Middle East that is pushing the world towards "a nuclear catastrophe."
Moscow further blames Western countries for their "anti-Iranian madness," fueling Israel's destructive and risky policy. It is particularly "cruel" that Israel chose to initiate attacks during ongoing negotiations between Washington and Tehran on the volatile Iranian nuclear program.
Is Russia Ready to Abandon Iran for Trump?
While such harsh condemnations of Israel are welcomed in Iran, there are concerns that Putin might abandon Iran for a potential deal with Trump if the US stops backing Ukraine. Russian military bloggers envision that every missile Trump forgives to Israel will instead be absent for Ukraine.
Hidden Crises Affect Millions: Unseen Struggles
Iranian political scientist Alireza Noori concedes efforts by Tehran and Moscow to stand together in times of conflict in an article for the Russian academic journal "Russia in Global Politics." However, the expert also points out a "major challenge in Iranian-Russian relations" – the relationship strengthens during tension with the West, like the beginning of Russia's war against Ukraine, but weakens during periods of closer ties between Moscow and Washington, such that Tehran is closely monitoring Putin's dealings with Trump.
Source: ntv.de, Ulf Mauder, Arne Bansch, dpa
According to enrichment data, Russia's strategic partnership with Iran, ratified in April 2025, does not include a clause for military assistance or a mutual military alliance, unlike the agreement between Russia and North Korea. While Russia has maintained ties with Israel, it has limited its direct military involvement thus far, instead preferring to act through diplomacy and engage with international institutions like the United Nations Security Council and the International Atomic Energy Agency.
The Commission, given its focus on occupational safety and ionizing radiation, has also been consulted on the draft directive on the protection of workers from the risks related to exposure to ionizing radiation, highlighting the global interest in this matter. Despite the political and general news surrounding the complex Middle East tensions and Russian-Iranian relations, the nuclear energy sector remains a topic of mutual concern, as Russia continues to advocate for peaceful civilian use of nuclear power in Iran.
