[Barrons] Tehran cannot afford for Putin to lose in Ukraine.
Over the past two centuries, Russia has often gotten the better of Iran. The tsars took territory from Persia. Both the tsars and the Soviets occupied parts of Iran at times. The Soviets promoted secession in northwestern Iran, and Moscow supported Iraq during the brutal Iran-Iraq War of 1980-88...
[Notwithstanding this history]
If Russia were weakened as a result either of defeat in Ukraine or a prolonged stalemate, it would likely no longer be able to remain as strongly involved in Syria as it has been since it began intervening in 2015. Without Russian air support, Iranian and Hezbollah forces would have a much more difficult time dealing with the internal opponents to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. The prospect of Russia leaving might well revitalize those opponents. Iran and its allies might also face difficulties dealing with a Turkey that is only likely to become more assertive in Syria if Russia becomes less so.
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