Explainer
Iran Needs Russia’s Help in the War. Here’s Why That’s Complicated for Moscow
Russia and Iran aren’t natural partners. Until recently, they tended to view one another with suspicion.
An alliance has emerged since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, born not of shared values but a common adversary: the US and its allies. The two countries have expanded their military cooperation, and Iranian Shahed drones have been particularly useful in helping Russia sustain its grinding war.