Russia’s image as a reliable ally has suffered yet another blow as Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was killed in joint U.S.–Israeli strikes across Iran on Feb. 28, marking a fresh outbreak of hostilities in the Middle East.
So far, Moscow’s response to the U.S.–Israeli bombardment of hundreds of targets in Iran has been limited to diplomatic support for Tehran, even as U.S. President Donald Trump has openly called for a change of regime.
The latest development highlights Iran’s junior role in its partnership with unsteady Russia, while Moscow’s focus on the war in Ukraine leaves it little means to rush to Tehran’s aid.
After Iran sent so much materiel to Russia for their genocidal invasion of Ukraine, this is the one very tiny bright spot of this catastrophe.