According to The Telegraph, relations between Russia and Iran remain complex and ambiguous. In a sudden meeting of Russian President Vladimir Putin with the new President of Iran, Masoud Pezeshkian, held in Ashgabat at a conference dedicated to the 300th birthday of the Turkmen poet Magtymguly Fragi, current issues of bilateral cooperation were discussed.
Analysts believe that the meeting was organized at the last minute and that the event itself had not previously been covered by the media.
The Telegraph emphasizes that Iran has sent thousands of drones and missiles to Russia and, in return, receives oil and some “technical know-how.” However, in Iran, according to sources, there remains a feeling that the Kremlin “still owes something” to Tehran. A professor at an Iranian university compared relations with Russia to a “friendship with a person who never pays.” According to him, Iran, which has suffered from Western sanctions, remains a weak partner of Russia and could now be forced to send additional batches of drones to Moscow for the war in Ukraine.
Iranian media also express doubts about the reliability of Russian support. Thus, the Ettelaat newspaper criticized the Kremlin for insufficient support in the Gaza crisis, and the Hamshahri publication pointed out Russia’s unfulfilled promise to supply Iran with modern S-400 missile defense systems.
The American Institute for the Study of War suggests Putin and Pezeshkian could discuss a possible response to an Israeli retaliatory attack on Iran, but Russian analysts say the Kremlin is likely to avoid direct intervention to avoid strained relations with Iran. Israel and the United States. Still, Putin said relations with Iran are a priority for Russia, highlighting their similar views on international events.
