MOSCOW – Russian President Vladimir Putin extended Nowruz greetings to Iran’s top leaders, vowing Moscow’s steadfast friendship and partnership with Tehran during its gravest challenge since the 1979 revolution, the Kremlin announced on March 21. Putin messaged Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei and President Masoud Pezeshkian, wishing Iranians strength to face “harsh trials” and reaffirming Russia’s reliability as an ally.
Putin slammed US and Israeli strikes on Iran for plunging the Middle East into chaos and sparking a global energy crisis, while branding the assassination of former Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei a “cynical” murder. Yet questions swirl over Russia’s actual aid, with some Iranian voices claiming scant real help despite the rhetoric.
A Politico report alleged Moscow offered Washington a deal: halt intelligence sharing with Iran in exchange for ending US tips to Ukraine on Russian forces. The Kremlin flatly denied it as “fake news.” Russia lost a key partner when the US ousted Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro, but has reaped gains from soaring oil prices fueled by the Iran conflict.
Their strategic pact lacks a mutual defense commitment, and Moscow has consistently opposed Iran acquiring nuclear weapons, wary of igniting a Middle East arms race.