Between Iran and Israel. Will Russia Intervene in the Conflict Between the Two Countries?
The Iran-Israel war poses a stark question for Russia: should it support Iran? Any action could have colossal consequences. "NI" found the answer in the history of our country.
When the world in the 21st century began to divide into two opposing camps, distant Iran became a loyal friend of Russia. Already during the first months after the start of the SVO, imports from Iran to the Russian Federation grew by more than a third - thus the first parallel import channels began to form.
And at the end of April 2025, Vladimir Putin signed a law on ratification of the treaty on comprehensive strategic partnership with the Islamic Republic. And this treaty contains a clause according to which each of the parties, in the event of an external threat to the other, is obliged not to provide assistance to the aggressor and must facilitate the settlement of the conflict on the basis of the UN Charter.
Russia and Iran signed a strategic partnership agreement. Photo: kremlin.ru
In short, Russia and Iran are brothers forever. Or at least for the 20 years that the treaty is in effect. If the “comprehensive strategic partnership” goes beyond public statements by officials, it could mean opening a second front for Russia.
But documents are one thing. How relations between states develop in practice is something completely different. NI figured out how Russia previously supported Iran.
Relations between Russia and Iran have not always been friendly. Photo: newizv.ru
Relations between Moscow and Tehran can hardly be called fraternal. Close contacts were established in the 18th century. And these were wars for influence in the Caucasus.
During the first Russo-Persian War of 1722–1723, Russia acquired cities such as Derbent and Baku. The second war of 1796 consolidated our country's position in the region, but did not lead to territorial changes. As a result of the third war of 1804–1813, the Russian Empire secured its rights to Georgia, Dagestan, Karabakh and other regions, and at the same time received the right to have a fleet in the Caspian Sea. During the fourth war of 1826–1828, Russia received part of modern Armenia, including Yerevan, and the exclusive right to have a fleet in the Caspian Sea.
Four Russo-Persian wars took place in the 18th–19th centuries. Photo: Franz Roubaud “The Living Bridge” / varvar.ru
The relations of the Russian Empire with Persia can hardly be called friendly. This is a history of constant competition. But the military successes of Russian commanders are also the beginning of a long friendship with Iran.
Tehran then fell under the influence of Russia, and a Persian Cossack division was created at the Shah's court under the command of Russian officers and generals. Even the 34th Shah of Iran , Reza Khan , served in it.
But this friendship was more of a convenience than of love. As long as the cooperation was beneficial to everyone, no questions arose. But immediately after the end of World War II, the question of gaining control over Iranian oil fields arose. Tehran, in order to confront the Soviet authorities, began to get closer to the United States - this spoiled relations with the USSR for many years.
In the 19th century, there was a Persian Cossack division under the leadership of Russian officers. Photo: rozanehmagazine.com
Even the Islamic Revolution of 1979 and the break in relations between Iran and the United States did not immediately help to secure the support of the Soviet Union. During the Iraqi-Iranian War of 1980-1988, the Soviet authorities supported Iraq with Saddam Hussein at the helm: arms supplies reached their peak and are estimated at 14 billion dollars.
At the same time, agreements on Soviet-Iranian military cooperation were concluded in 1981. Until its collapse, the USSR maintained very cautious relations with Iran so as not to upset the balance in the Middle East region.
And modern Russia acted together with Iran only in the framework of the operation in Syria in 2015-2017. But even analysts of the Russian International Affairs Council admit that the interests of Russia and Iran in Syria did not fully coincide, and the countries often competed with each other. Tehran, in particular, was unhappy with the fact that Moscow maintained contacts with Tel Aviv and did not oppose Israel's strikes on Syrian positions.
The military operation in Syria is one of the few cases of military cooperation between Russia and Iran. Photo: Press Service of the Russian Ministry of Defense
The Armed Forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps are currently armed mainly with Russian equipment: mass deliveries began in the 1990s. Iran has three Varshavyanka submarines, S-300 and Tor-M1 anti-aircraft missile systems, Mi-17 helicopters, Yak-130 training aircraft, and T-72 tanks.
The Iranian army is equipped with Russian equipment. Photo: goodfon.ru
However, history shows that Russia's support for Iran is rather situational. Each country pursues its own goals in the region and its own benefit. It would be surprising if the Russian authorities, in the context of the SVO, provide full-scale support to Iran and are drawn into an armed conflict.
newizv.ru
