ABC News Daily Will Putin help Iran rebuild its nuclear program?
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Jun 25, 2025 Anna Borshchevskaya, a Senior Fellow at the Washington Institute and an expert on Russia’s Middle East policy, delves into the complexities of Russia-Iran relations. She discusses why Putin hasn't provided substantial military aid to Iran despite their close ties, especially amid Israeli and American threats. The potential consequences for Iran's nuclear ambitions and the balancing act of Moscow's interests in the region are highlighted, revealing the intricate dance of diplomacy in a turbulent geopolitical landscape.
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Russia-Iran Complex Relations
- Russia has historically nurtured a complex relationship with Iran, marked by distrust and strategic partnership rather than alliance.
- Though Russia supported Iran's nuclear program development, it maintained a balancing act in the Middle East, including ties with Israel.
Putin's Calculated Non-Intervention
- Russia did not militarily assist Iran against Israeli strikes because their strategic partnership does not include a mutual defense clause.
- Putin likely expected the conflict to be short and had limited resources due to the Ukraine war.
Risks of Russia's Iran Non-Help
- Russia's failure to aid Iran harms Moscow's reputation as a reliable ally and weakens its strategic position in the Middle East.
- Russia fears an Iranian regime collapse more than Iran developing nuclear weapons, as it would lose influence in the region.