Recent developments involving the United States easing or lifting sanctions on Russia during a period of elevated oil prices, combined with speculation about renewed tensions with Iran, highlight the links between Moscow and Tehran in the contexts of the Ukraine conflict and Gulf issues.

This is significant because any sanctions relief for Russia is not isolated but connected to broader dynamics.

Iran has supported Russia, and Russia has supported Iran. Thus, empowering Russia in one area while aiming to weaken Iran in another should be viewed as part of a unified global struggle.

Understanding the background is essential.

Russia and Iran share historical ties extending over many decades, during which Russia has backed the Iranian regime. An example includes Russian involvement in constructing a nuclear power plant in Iran.

Similar dynamics were evident during Barack Obama's presidency.

The US eased pressure on Russia and appeared to reduce backing for European partners on a missile defense system, which seemed to encourage Russian support for the Iran nuclear agreement.

At that time, the Obama administration focused primarily on the Iran deal.

One idea was that the US could improve relations with Moscow by diminishing apparent support for European allies, and this concession might prompt Russia to influence Iran regarding its nuclear activities.

Russia excels at this strategic maneuvering. It recognizes US priorities but notes that Washington often struggles to address multiple issues simultaneously.

Russia employs a tactic of waiting for the US to be occupied with another matter, like the current situation with Iran, before advancing its own interests.

Russia-Iran connections predate the Ukraine conflict

The Russia-Iran relationship existed before the Ukraine war. Iran provided Russia with Shahed-136 drones, which Russia deployed early in the 2022 Ukraine invasion to intimidate Ukrainian civilians.

While these drones alone do not secure victories, they generate fear.

Iran delivered hundreds or thousands of them to Russia, which then started producing them locally, demonstrating the strong ties between the countries.

Tehran also sent similar drones to the Houthis in Yemen around 2020 or 2021. It became evident that Iran was using the Houthis to test capabilities against Israel and other nations.

Iran and Russia often perceive these conflicts as linked. For example, Russia launched its invasion of Ukraine in 2022 after observing the disorderly US exit from Afghanistan.

Subsequently, following the Hamas attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, Russia capitalized on the resulting turmoil: Moscow welcomed the distraction of Israel, a key US partner, in a major conflict that shifted global attention to the Middle East and away from Ukraine.

Russia keeps gaining from its Middle East approach

Russia continues to profit from Middle East events: when America is engaged in conflicts there, Moscow gains advantages and persists with this approach.

Russia is mindful of doubts within US President Donald Trump's administration about Ukraine. Consequently, it has been willing to leverage the Ukraine situation and exploit frictions between Washington and Kyiv.

Since the US conflict with Iran began in February, Russia has viewed this as a chance for sanctions relief or energy deals, fitting into its broader global strategy.

Moscow sees itself as challenging the American-dominated international system. It seeks to restore Russian influence and power, collaborate with Iran and China, and regards the 2026 Iran conflict as accelerating the shift to a multipolar world.

Therefore, when considering possible sanctions relief, Moscow recognizes how the Russia-Iran connection can continue to challenge the Americans and will exploit it to further its objectives.

The key question for the US is whether it can realize its aims on Ukraine and a peace agreement, or on Iran and an agreement with Iran.

So long as Iran and Russia can pit US policies against each other, it will remain challenging for the United States to meet its objectives.