The Globalist Iran cosies up to Russia amid a balancing act with the US
May 22, 2025
Berku Ozelek, a Senior Research Fellow at RUSI, Nina Dos Santos, an international correspondent, and Julianne Smith, a former US ambassador to NATO, dive into Iran's strategic partnership with Russia. They explore the geopolitical implications of their newly ratified 20-year alliance, especially in military support and nuclear negotiations with the US. The conversation highlights Iran's delicate balance between global power dynamics and domestic sentiments, including fears of potential Israeli aggression if negotiations falter.
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Iran-Russia Partnership Deepens
- Iran's 20-year partnership with Russia codifies and deepens existing cooperation, especially in military and economic areas.
- It signals Iran's ability to maintain strategic alliances despite US pressures and sanctions.
Coordination Without Commitment
- Iran and Russia closely coordinate military supplies, including drones and possibly troops in Ukraine.
- However, their partnership stops short of mutual defense for serious escalations.
Diverging Views But Strategic Cooperation
- Russia's historical ties to Israel diverge sharply from Iran's hostile stance.
- Yet, Russia and Iran strategically override differences to counter US sanctions and boost trade.