This episode unpacks the opportunities and risks Moscow is facing amid the U.S. and Israeli war with Iran.

 

Host:

James M. Lindsay, Mary and David Boies Distinguished Senior Fellow in U.S. Foreign Policy, CFR

 

Guest:

Thomas Graham, Distinguished Fellow, CFR

 

We Discuss:

• Whether Russia and Iran are true allies, or simply friends of convenience.
• How decades of rivalry and recent convergence shaped the current Moscow-Tehran relationship.
• Why Russia's strategic partnership with Iran excludes a mutual defense obligation.
• What role Russian intelligence sharing may be playing on the Middle East battlefield.
• How rising oil prices help Russia in the short term but carry serious long-term economic risks.
• Whether keeping the Strait of Hormuz closed serves Moscow's interest.
• How Operation Epic Fury has stalled peace negotiations in the Russia-Ukraine war, and complicated weapons supply to Kyiv.

 

Mentioned on the Episode:

 

Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, July 14, 2015

 

Russia-Iran Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Treaty, January 17, 2025

 

For an episode transcript and show notes, visit The President’s Inbox at: https://www.cfr.org/podcasts/presidents-inbox/russias-stakes-in-the-iran-war

 

Opinions expressed on The President’s Inbox are solely those of the host or guests, not of CFR, which takes no institutional positions on matters of policy.