Russia, Iran's largest ally, is effectively standing on the sidelines amid the massive U.S. and Israeli airstrikes on Iran, critics say. Moscow has failed to provide meaningful assistance to allied leaders in Syria, Venezuela, and now Iran during their moments of crisis, offering only lukewarm responses.
According to Politico Europe on the 1st, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi called Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on the 28th of last month as the full-scale U.S.-Israeli airstrikes began, briefing him on the situation.
Araghchi informed Lavrov of the Iranian leadership's measures to repel the U.S.-Israeli aggression and plans to convene an emergency UN Security Council session. Lavrov responded that Russia "condemns the armed attack" and "stands ready to contribute to seeking a peaceful solution." This principled stance is interpreted as effectively drawing a line against military support. Politico noted that Iran, following Syria and Venezuela, has now experienced firsthand what an alliance with Russia means—and what it does not.
In Syria, rebel forces captured the capital Damascus in late 2024, ultimately toppling dictator Bashar al-Assad's regime. Russia's support ultimately proved unhelpful to the existing regime beyond accepting Assad into exile, analysts say.
Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro also suffered the humiliation of being captured in a U.S. military operation in January this year without receiving Russian assistance. Following these cases, Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was killed in targeted U.S.-Israeli airstrikes.
Politico analyzed that while Russia's failure to militarily support Iran could damage its international reputation, it may also yield benefits. Moscow can highlight the West's—particularly America's—non-compliance with international norms to bolster its own legitimacy. This could further solidify the Kremlin's hardline position that has characterized the Ukraine war as a defensive measure against Western aggression.