Putin is expanding cooperation with Iran to stop the West from helping Ukraine – ISW
7 August 2024 11:40
Kremlin dictator Vladimir Putin is stepping up Russia’s cooperation with Iran amid the escalating conflict in the Middle East in order to force the West to make decisions favourable to Moscow. This is the conclusion reached by analysts of the American Institute for the Study of War, "Komersant Ukrainian" reports
According to analysts, Russia is helping Iran improve its air defences against Israeli attacks. The New York Times (NYT), citing two unnamed Iranian officials, including one from the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), reported on 5 August that Russia has begun supplying Iran with unnamed advanced radars and air defence systems.
Media reported that Tehran had previously sought to acquire Russian air defence systems to strengthen its defence network against Israeli strikes.
ISW estimates that Russia is expanding its cooperation with Iran, especially in the military sphere, in order to influence Western decisions in its favour, in particular, by pushing the West to stop military aid to Ukraine. The supply of radars and air defence systems to Iran, which could significantly strengthen Russian forces, underscores Russia’s dependence on Iran for other critical weapons, including precision-guided missiles and weapons components.
Recently, the United States and several other nations called on Iran to moderate its reaction to the assassination of Hamas political leader Ismail Ghani, but Tehran refused.
Putin, who continues to kill Ukrainians, asked Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei to restrain his response to Israel’s assassination of Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh.
