Moscow, Russia – Russia has agreed to assist U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration in its communications with Iran, including discussions on Tehran’s nuclear program and its support for regional groups opposed to U.S. interests and Israel.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!The development was first reported by Bloomberg on Tuesday and later confirmed by Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov. According to Peskov, Moscow supports diplomatic dialogue between Washington and Tehran and is willing to facilitate negotiations to resolve disputes peacefully.
A Reuters report also quoted Peskov as saying that Russia is prepared to promote a peaceful resolution to Iran’s “nuclear problem.” This comes amid ongoing concerns over Iran’s growing stockpile of enriched uranium, which the UN nuclear watchdog recently reported has increased by about 50% since December. While Iran insists its nuclear program is for civilian purposes, its enrichment levels have reached 60%, a step away from weapons-grade material.
Growing Russia-Iran Ties Raise Concerns
Russia and Iran have strengthened their military cooperation in recent years. Reports indicate that Russian officials visited Iranian missile and air defense facilities twice in 2024, shortly after Tehran launched missile barrages at Israeli cities. In January 2025, Russian President Vladimir Putin hosted his Iranian counterpart, Masoud Pezeshkian, in Moscow, where they signed a 20-year strategic partnership agreement.
Moscow has also hosted officials from Hamas following the group’s October 7, 2023, attack on Israel. Russia has expressed support for Iran-backed Hezbollah and strongly condemned Israel for the killing of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah in Lebanon last year.
Trump’s Stance on Iran and Ukraine Shifts US Policy
Despite restoring his “maximum pressure” campaign on Iran last month—aimed at cutting off Tehran’s oil exports—Trump’s willingness to engage through Russian mediation marks a significant shift. His administration had previously sought to exert economic and military pressure on Iran to curb its nuclear ambitions.
Meanwhile, Trump’s policies regarding Russia have raised concerns among U.S. allies. On Monday, he suspended military aid to Ukraine after a heated exchange with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at the White House. The move signals a potential pivot in U.S. foreign policy, with Washington’s stance on Ukraine and its support for allies coming under scrutiny.
Israel-Iran Tensions Escalate
Over the past year, hostilities between Israel and Iran have intensified. Iran launched its first-ever direct attack on Israel in April 2024, firing 300 attack drones and missiles in response to an Israeli airstrike near Tehran’s consulate in Damascus. Later, in October, Iran launched another barrage of 200 ballistic missiles, retaliating for the assassinations of Hezbollah’s Hassan Nasrallah and Hamas’s Ismail Haniyeh.
Israel successfully intercepted most of these attacks with U.S. and allied support, responding with strikes that targeted Iran’s air defense infrastructure and weapons manufacturing sites. The conflict with Hezbollah escalated into open war in September 2024, with Israel severely weakening the group’s leadership before a ceasefire was reached in November.
Ceasefire with Hamas in Jeopardy
A fragile three-phase ceasefire between Israel and Hamas was agreed upon in January 2025. However, only the first phase has been completed, with negotiations stalling amid mutual accusations of violations.
As diplomatic efforts continue, Russia’s role in mediating U.S.-Iran relations remains uncertain. While Moscow positions itself as a key player in resolving tensions, Israel remains wary of any diplomatic process that does not include a firm stance against Iran’s nuclear and military ambitions.
