Russia hopes to reap the benefits of an extended Middle East war, even as the conflict imperils one of its allies.
Moscow is profiting from a spike in oil prices, and the Kremlin bets a windfall from prolonged hostilities could help boost its coffers to pay for military operations in Ukraine and plug a budget deficit, The Associated Press wrote.
India, China, and Turkey could increase purchases of Russian crude. Russia also hopes the war pulls attention away from Ukraine and depletes Western arsenals.
A weakened Iran wouldnât dramatically dent Vladimir Putinâs authority at home or abroad, analysts said. Iran has always been âsomething of a strategic frenemyâ to Russia, one expert said, and the war could make Tehran a more amenable partner.