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Despite actively published information about rapprochement, distrust and hidden rivalry persist between Russia and Iran. These conclusions were voiced in the data of the Foreign Intelligence Service of Ukraine.
According to the report, both countries, despite existing economic cooperation, view each other more as potential adversaries than reliable partners. This slip of distrust is confirmed by factors of mutual espionage and conflicting geopolitical interests.
In particular, in June 2025, during a situation that lasted twelve days between Iran and Israel, a member of Iran’s Expediency Discernment Council, Seyed Mohammad Sadr, accused Russia of passing intelligence on the location of Iranian air defense systems. According to him, this confirms the futility of a “strategic alliance” with the Russian side. He also noted: “Russia condemned Israel’s attack on Iran only in words, but in fact facilitated it.” This incident vividly demonstrated the fragility of the partnership, where economic ties do not guarantee political loyalty.
Following the events of 2022, there has been active financing of Iran by Russia, making it the largest foreign investor in the Islamic Republic by 2024. In 2023, the volume of Russian investments amounted to 2.7 billion dollars, and the need for investments of 8 billion dollars in the oil and gas sector was also announced. Work is underway at the Bushehr nuclear power plant, the construction of its second phase continues, and the Sirik thermal power plant is being built in Hormozgan province. The Russian oil company “ZN Vostok” is actively operating in the Iranian market, with promising projects planned, such as the “Rasht – Astara” railway financed by Russia and a gas pipeline through Azerbaijan.
However, intelligence emphasized that such ambitious plans are under threat. Historical prerequisites of distrust, reinforced by modern conflicts of interest, cast doubt on the reality of the alliance between the two regimes. The current situation deals a blow not only to Russia but also to its position as a global player in the Middle East.
Read more at – NANews Israel News
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