The alliance of Russia and Iran, aimed mainly at the United States, is stronger than ever before, and the war in Lebanon only strengthens it, writes the Israeli portal Ynet. He adds that Moscow verbally supports Hezbollah and in return receives Iranian weapons, which helps it invade Ukraine.
“Russia does not recognize Hezbollah as a terrorist organization, it supported the group's leader Hasan Nasrallah, who was killed by Israel, and blames Israel for the escalation in the Middle East and the murder of Lebanese civilians, ignoring Hezbollah's attacks on the Jewish state,” the website enumerates.
Russian-Iranian relations
As Ynet adds, Russian-Iranian contacts are also flourishing. Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin just before the Iranian airstrike Israel paid a visit to Tehran, during which he met, among others, President Massoud Pezeshkan. Iran delivered Russia thousands of drones, including Shahedas used against Ukrainians, and, according to Western intelligence, also 200 short-range ballistic missiles.
“This intensified cooperation raises Israel's fear that in exchange for weapons, Moscow may help Tehran develop its nuclear program,” the portal writes. He also reminds that both countries are subject to Western sanctions and China they promote a multipolar vision of the world, opposing hegemony USA.
Russia's interests in the Middle East
“However, the Kremlin is not interested in a direct war between Israel and Iran,” says Ynet. The website specifies that “escalation in the Middle East is generally beneficial to Moscow because it distracts world public opinion from the war in Ukraine and engages American military resources.”
“However, it would be more convenient for Russia if the conflict was limited to Lebanon,” the website says. “Expanding the conflict to include Syria would threaten the regime of President Bashar al-Assad, which is supported by both Iran and Hezbollah, as well as Russia. A regular war with Iran would, in turn, weaken the country on which the Kremlin is increasingly dependent in the military field, which would weaken its position in Ukraine,” the Israeli portal concluded.
Main photo source: JOAO RELVAS/PAP/EPA