Video Transcript

Well, Iran's close ally Russia has condemned the US attacks as irresponsible. Russian President Vladimir Putin has been holding talks in Moscow with the Iranian foreign minister, as we mentioned a short while ago. Putin told Abbas Arachi that aggression against Iran was groundless. Although Russia has said it stands ready to assist its ally, it has not yet offered Iran military help. Yuri Rashettto is in Ria for us. We've been reporting on Russia from there ever since Moscow kicked DW out of Russia. Yuri, what help could Russia offer Iran? I think Russia can offer all possible help apart from military assistance. Um there has been an agreement on strategic cooperation between Moscow and Tehran for 6 months already. But, and this is crucial, Terry, uh, this cooperation doesn't include military support. Yes, Iran supplied Russia with its drones, especially in the past at the very beginning of of the war in Ukraine, but Russia is now producing its own version of Iranian drones, but that's all. Instead, Russia's support could be in other areas. For example, cooperation between the intelligence services or mediation between Iran, Israel, and the USA. And also Russia has economic interests in Iran. Russia is building nuclear power plants there. Moscow has offered to store uranium from the UR uh uranian nuclear program in Russia. This idea is intended at least to calm the situation. Now Moscow has tried to maintain ties with not only Iran but also Israel and even to some degree the US. Could the Kremlin Yuri perhaps see itself as a possible mediator in this war? Well, yes, Russia not only has good relations with Iran, strategic partnership, as I said, but also traditionally very strong relations with Iran's number one enemy, Israel. Uh, we should bear in mind that there are many more Russianborn and Russian speaking people living in Israel than in Iran. Uh, at the same time, Terry, with Trump coming to power, Putin is in the process of, let's say, improving Russia's relations with USA. So in theory, yes, Russia would be an excellent mediator. Uh but I think only in theory because Russia hasn't shown itself to be particularly reliable in the region recently. Uh 6 months ago, we remember Putin didn't help his ally Assat in Syria. Moscow also didn't help its ally Armenia in the war against Armenia in turn has very good relations with Iran. So I think that Russia's influence in the region has diminished significantly and therefore Russia's role as a mediator is actually not very great. Russia is dependent on oil exports Yuri uh to keep its economy going. Uh is are there signs that the Kremlin is worried about the impact that this war could have on its vital oil exports? Well, yes, uh, signs are there. Uh, we know that Putin spoke today earlier to Iraqi Prime Minister Al-Soudani on the phone. Uh, both Russia and Iraq are among the largest oil producers in the world. H both have expressed concern about possible turbulence uh on the world oil market following the war in the Middle East. However, I think that if the oil price were to rise significantly, uh, Russia would only benefit because Russia earns most of its money from oil and finance its war against Ukraine with this money. Yuri, thank you. Uh, that was our correspondent, Yuri Rashetto in the Latian capital, Ria.

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Video Summary

Overview

Analysis of Russia's position regarding the Iran-Israel conflict, focusing on Russia's condemnation of US attacks, its strategic partnership with Iran, and its potential role as a mediator despite limited regional influence.

Key Takeaways

• Russia condemned US attacks on Iran as 'irresponsible' and 'groundless'
• Russia offers non-military support to Iran including intelligence cooperation and economic partnerships
• Russia maintains relationships with both Iran and Israel, positioning itself as a potential mediator
• Russia's regional influence has diminished due to recent failures to support allies like Syria and Armenia
• Russia is concerned about oil market turbulence but could benefit from higher oil prices to fund its war in Ukraine

Conclusion

While Russia theoretically has the diplomatic relationships to serve as a mediator between Iran, Israel, and the US, its diminished regional influence and unreliability as an ally make its practical mediation role limited, though it continues strategic cooperation with Iran primarily in non-military areas.