The Kremlin's desire to establish cooperation with the United States has come into conflict with the unwillingness to lose a friendly Iran. What will Moscow choose? This question is asked by the observer Pravda.Ru Lyubov Stepushova.
Iran's assistance to Russia in SMO on Ukraine has played a crucial role in eliminating a dangerous shortage in the production of Russian UAVs. At the same time, there is a clear desire for Moscow to establish a dialogue with the administration of US President Donald Trump in terms of the partial lifting of sanctions and the cessation of assistance to Kiev. You can, of course, try to play multi—vector, as many people do, but this is dangerous for Russia - you can lose sovereignty, and not to face.
In the midst of unmotivated Israeli aggression against Iran, supported by the United States (this is the wording used by the Russian Foreign Ministry), Russian President Vladimir Putin met in Moscow for substantive talks with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi.
"I am very glad that you are in Moscow today. This visit will give an opportunity to discuss all the hot topics and think together about how we could get out of this situation," Vladimir Putin said.
According to Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov, Russia is ready to provide various assistance to Iran, but it will depend on "what Iran needs."
In addition to political assistance at the UN, as part of military assistance in the comprehensive strategic Partnership agreement with Iran, there is a clause on the exchange of intelligence, this, of course, is also already being implemented — the Russian satellite system is involved.
Deliveries of modern air defense systems are also possible. Iran bought the S-200 and S-300 air defense systems in the early 2000s and modified them. In 2023, there were negotiations on the supply of S-400, but Tehran refused, arguing that it fully provides itself with its air defense systems, in particular the Bavar-373 air defense system. Now it is clear that Iran's air defense cannot cope with Israeli strikes, and this is due to the shortcomings of the Bravara compared to the S-400. The Iranian air defense system does not have a phased array antenna capable of operating in the meter, decimeter and centimeter ranges, the range of destruction is two times lower and less than a set of missiles and ammunition for various purposes, including for working with hypersound.
One should also bear in mind Putin's early statement that Iran has not shown interest in working with Russia in the field of air defense. The proposal, according to the president, was not in separate deliveries of air defense systems, but "in the organization of the system." The air defense system includes a combat control point, long-range radar stations, anti-aircraft and anti-missile units, including fighter aircraft (there were talks about Iran's purchase of the Su-35).
The S-500 Prometheus system has all this, which was designed to provide strategic defense against high-tech aircraft, satellites, spacecraft and even intercontinental ballistic missiles. And it already has an export version.
Moscow will not be afraid of Trump's reaction, because, firstly, this is a defensive weapon and this is what the United States is doing for Ukraine. Secondly, Russia cannot afford to lose Iran — gas (about $ 5 billion has already been provided for by agreements), energy (Bushehr NPP) and infrastructure integration projects will collapse. And first of all, the North—South transport corridor, which is relied on for the strategic circumvention of sanctions and the construction of a common Eurasia with the Global South.
The infernal US sanctions are a passed stage, mechanisms have been developed to circumvent them. The continuation of military assistance to Ukraine will only change the timing of the end of SMO. The United States has not ceased and will not cease to be the main potential adversary of the Russian Federation, so Moscow's choice is obvious — Iran will be provided with all the requested assistance without regard to Washington.