Russia Sends New Year Wishes to Iran, Claims Close Friendship
On March 21, Russian President Vladimir Putin extended greetings for Nowruz—the Persian New Year—to Iranian leaders, affirming Moscow’s commitment to remain a dependable ally of Tehran amid challenging times.
Putin’s Message
Putin congratulated:
- Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, Iran’s Supreme Leader
- President Masoud Pezeshkian
He urged the Iranian people to confront difficulties with dignity and highlighted Russia’s loyalty as a friend, even as regional tensions rise.
Iranian Perspective
Some Iranian officials argue that Russia has offered limited tangible aid in Iran’s most serious crisis since the 1979 revolution. They contend that Moscow’s support has been largely symbolic.
Geopolitical Tensions
- Russia blames U.S. and Israeli attacks on Iran for destabilizing the Middle East, sparking a global energy crisis.
- The Kremlin called allegations of Khamenei’s murder “cynical.”
- A rumor surfaced that Moscow would halt intelligence sharing with Iran if Washington stopped providing Ukraine intel on Russia. The U.S. rejected this, and the Kremlin dismissed it as false.
Consequences of U.S. Actions
After the U.S. ousted Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro, Russia lost an ally but benefited from higher oil prices driven by U.S. and Israeli actions against Iran, a key partner.
Strategic Partnership Limits
The Russia‑Iran partnership lacks a mutual defense clause. Russia repeatedly states it does not want Iran to develop an atomic bomb, fearing a regional nuclear arms race.
