Russia Sends New Year Wishes to Iran, Claims Close Friendship

On March 21, Russian President Vladimir Putin sent greetings to Iranian leaders for Nowruz, the Persian New Year. The Kremlin said Moscow would remain a dependable ally of Tehran during tough times. Some Iranian officials, however, claim that Russia has not offered much real help in Iran’s most serious crisis since the 1979 revolution. They argue that Moscow’s support has been limited. Putin congratulated Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei and President Masoud Pezeshkian, urging the Iranian people to face difficulties with dignity. The Kremlin highlighted that Russia is still a loyal friend, even as the region faces challenges.Russia blames U. S. and Israeli attacks on Iran for pushing the Middle East into turmoil and sparking a global energy crisis. It also called the alleged murder of Supreme Leader Khamenei “cynical. ” Reports surfaced that Moscow offered to stop sharing intelligence with Iran if Washington stopped giving Ukraine intel on Russia. The U. S. rejected this proposal, and the Kremlin dismissed the claim as false. After the U. S. ousted Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro, Russia lost an ally but gained from higher oil prices caused by U. S. and Israeli actions against Iran, a key partner. The strategic partnership between Russia and Iran does not include a mutual defense clause. Russia has repeatedly said it does not want Iran to build an atomic bomb, fearing a regional nuclear arms race.