Iran is not a client of Russia's. It is a state with its own revolutionary logic, its own regional reach and its own willingness to confront American power. During this war, by militarizing the Strait of Hormuz, it has demonstrated that it can generate effects that will be quickly and amply felt across the world. It can exert pressure on the United States in ways that Russia, bogged down in Ukraine, cannot. If anything, for Russia these past few weeks have demonstrated precisely Iran's worth.
Iran's path to ending the war on acceptable terms will narrow if fighting resumes and could close entirely if the fighting continues at length. If the Islamic republic falls, no other country in Russia's orbit can fill its role. China is too integrated into the global economy. North Korea, which has supplied Russia with weapons and soldiers in Ukraine, cannot project power far beyond the Korean Peninsula.
The potential collapse of Iran, a valuable partner for Russia, poses a concern for Putin’s regime. Iran’s unique revolutionary logic, regional reach, and ability to confront US power make it irreplaceable for Russia www.nytimes.com/2026/04/10/o... By @nicolegrajewski.bsky.social #putinism #Islamism
