Russia sent Iranian-made drones to attack the capital of Ukraine on Monday. It was the most evident proof that Tehran has become a rare and growingly close supporter of the Kremlin, providing weapons and international support that Russia badly needs.
The relationship between Russia and Iran is an interesting case study in international diplomacy. For years, both governments have been irritated by Western sanctions that were imposed due to their involvement with conflicts outside of Europe or Asia Pacific regions. But now these same countries view America as the biggest enemy instead!
Karim Sadjadpour, an Iranian-American policy analyst, said in his podcast, “This is a partnership of convenience between two dictatorships in trouble.”
Two of the most powerful countries in this world are currently facing major problems. Iran is trying to stop street protests, which have been their biggest problem for years. While Russia is dealing with growing discontent over a war effort that isn’t working and an upcoming draft people don’t like much at all (mainly because it will require them).
However, Russia and Iran appear to be working together in a joint effort that could hurt efforts for peace between the warring parties. The formation of an alliance between Moscow and Tehran may pose significant obstacles towards any future nuclear deal, as well as put more pressure on Israel who is already considered by many politicians here (in Iran) their greatest enemy outside forces.
In 2015, Russia sent its air force to Syria and helped President Bashar al-Regime, Assad, maintain power. Militarily they did everything at the same time as well; this is when things really started getting interesting between Moscow and Tehran!
The Iranian Revolution in 1979 marks a time where Russia and China tried to find ways of hurting the U.S., but they faced equal odds with America too–on an even larger scale! This is because after 1979, Iran’s foreign policy was based around being ” Neither East nor West.”
It meant that while fear had consumed them before when it came down between themselves or between two superpowers like USA/Ussr (the Soviets), now all bets were off; there would be no turning back.
Analysts say that the Islamic Republic is taking a side, and pictures of Iran’s exploding drones hitting their targets show it is serious regional power.
Experts say that while most Iranians prefer Ukraine to Russia as their favourite neighbour, the country wants both international recognition for being a champion of justice in world affairs and also show off its military might by selling weapons.
“It depends on what you want,” said Mahmoud Shoori from Institute Of Iran And Eurasia Studies. “If it’s just pride then we can supply whatever they need.”
“It shows that the West’s policies of putting the most pressure on Iran and isolating it haven’t worked.”
Russia and Iran have a lot in common when it comes to oil, gas as well energy. Russia has been working on building the Bushehr Nuclear Power Plant for decades but long delays caused by billion dollar cost increases make this project more expensive than expected, making Russia’s finances worse off.
Russian forces are now getting low on precision guided ballistic missiles which lead them to having less ability of using conventional weapons effectively. This pattern was usually seen where larger countries sell firearms while smaller ones purchase tanks or fighter jets from abroad due to their lack thereof.
Unable to acquire firearms elsewhere — except, perhaps, from North Korea — Moscow has turned to Iran.
The drones carry smaller payloads and are much slower than such missiles, making them far easier to shoot down.
But they are also much cheaper, so Russia can launch them in bunches, overwhelming air defenses and allowing some to reach their targets.
Iran’s use of drones to attack enemies sends a message, both domestically and internationally. The country has been under pressure from weeks of protests for women’s rights which it tried unsuccessfully to stop. However with Russia using similar tactics against other nations including Saudi Arabia, this seems like nothing will be spared when it comes down to fighting terrorism.
Russia’s recent use of drone attacks is sending a message not only to Iran but also its Western audience. The Kremlin has framed these strikes as part of wider conflict, which it says will continue until international pressure stops them from doing so.
It’s unclear how Saudi Arabia, Iran’s biggest enemy in the region, will respond to the Kremlin getting closer to Tehran.
The governments of Saudi Arabia and Russia have been working together to raise oil prices, which has worsened inflation in the United States but pleased Israel.
After the war started in Ukraine, Israel did not provide any weapons for their defense. Even though Kyiv has asked many times and been careful to avoid criticism towards Russia too much while asking; yet they still haven’t given them anything even close!
Israel has been a crucial ally of Russia for years, but the Israelis are now worried about how much power Moscow will allow them if fighting Iran leads to an all-out war.
It is a sign that tensions are rising.
The sales of drones raised more questions about the chances of a nuclear deal in which the West would lift sanctions against Iran in exchange for Tehran, significantly reducing its ability to enrich uranium, which is needed to make atomic weapons.
President Donald J. Trump pulled out of the original 2015 pact, which included Russia and other world powers, and President Biden has been eager to negotiate a new one.
People now think that the Russians are probably the least excited about the deal. It would put a lot of Iranian oil and gas back on the international market, competing with Russia’s sales and possibly bringing prices down.
