Russian President Vladimir Putin has reiterated Moscow’s support for Iran, saying Russia remains a “reliable partner” as tensions escalate across the Middle East.

In a Nowruz message, Putin extended greetings to Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei and President Masoud Pezeshkian, expressing confidence that the Iranian people would endure current challenges. The Kremlin said Russia would continue to stand by Tehran during this difficult period.

The statement comes amid heightened regional instability following US and Israeli strikes on Iran. Moscow has blamed these attacks for worsening the conflict and triggering volatility in global energy markets.

However, questions remain over the depth of Russia’s actual support. Some Iranian sources suggest that Moscow’s assistance has been limited, despite the scale of the crisis—widely seen as Iran’s most serious since the 1979 revolution.

Putin has also condemned the reported killing of Iran’s top leadership figure, calling it a “cynical” act, while sharply criticizing Western involvement in the region.

Meanwhile, reports claiming Russia offered to curb intelligence-sharing with Iran in exchange for the US halting support to Ukraine have been rejected by the Kremlin as false.

Although Russia and Iran maintain a strategic partnership, it does not include mutual defence commitments. Moscow has also consistently opposed any move by Tehran to develop nuclear weapons, warning it could spark a broader arms race in the Middle East.

Despite the geopolitical fallout, rising oil prices linked to the conflict are providing an economic boost to Russia.