Tehran’s nuclear aspirations and Russia’s support

Nusrat Mirza
America’s ambition to maintain its supremacy over the world is not hidden from anyone; if any country stands in its way, it is punished. America’s doctrine is that in pursuing supremacy, it combats to destabilize states and overthrow the serving governments. It does not even refrain from shedding blood and destroying any country through direct attacks or proxy wars. It, in fact, most of the time does not care for the welfare of humankind. Instead, it imposes its desires on them, resulting in the birth of many resistant forces and nations.
If we examine the regional dynamics, India appears to be closely following the strategic footprints of the United States. Its hostility toward Pakistan has been evident since the very beginning, as it never truly accepted Pakistan’s existence with an open heart. The two nations have remained in a state of conflict, primarily over Kashmir, leading to multiple confrontations, including the full-scale war of 1965.
Later, in 1971, India, with strategic backing from the Soviet Union, played a crucial role in the separation of East Pakistan, reshaping the region’s geopolitical landscape. Further intensifying tensions, India conducted its first nuclear test in 1974 at Pokhran, under the codename “Smiling Buddha,” a move perceived as an attempt to intimidate Pakistan. This direct nuclear threat left Pakistan with no choice but to embark on its own nuclear weapons program to ensure its survival and maintain strategic deterrence.
Iran faces geopolitical constraints on all sides, with increasing restrictions imposed upon it. If its adversaries had the capability, they would further tighten these constraints, even blocking Iranian airspace. Israel remains particularly hostile toward Iran due to Tehran’s support for Hamas in Palestine and Hezbollah in Lebanon. The brutalities committed by Israel in Palestine have drawn widespread condemnation, highlighting the humanitarian crisis. Iran has also historically backed Syria’s former ruling elite and, through them, facilitated aid to Hezbollah.
To secure the fragile regime of Bashar al-Assad, General Qassem Soleimani, commander of the Quds Force, made a covert visit to Moscow in July 2015. At that time, Assad had lost control over nearly 80% of Syria’s territory and population. However, Russia, despite its diplomatic ties with Iran, refrained from providing substantial assistance due to its strong relations with Israel. Instead, Moscow limited Iran’s influence to Syria and played a mediating role in brokering the 2015 nuclear agreement between Iran and the Westan arrangement that ultimately did not favor Iran but provided temporary relief from mounting pressure.
General Soleimani’s visit was officially disclosed three weeks later, yet it laid the groundwork for a deeper relationship between Tehran and Moscow. Over time, what was once a restricted partnership evolved into a full-fledged strategic alliance. This transformation culminated in signing the Iran-Russia Strategic Partnership Agreement in January 2025.
Russia, engaged in the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, found itself reliant on Iranian drones, missiles, and other military equipment, bringing the two nations even closer. Consequently, Moscow, which had previously facilitated the West’s efforts to curb Iran’s nuclear ambitions, has now shifted its stance, actively supporting Iran’s pursuit of nuclear advancements.
Russia now acquires Iranian-made drones, missiles, and advanced weaponry that it does not produce domestically. In return, there is growing speculation that Moscow may be aiding Iran in developing nuclear capabilities. While some argue that Russia is driven by necessity rather than intent, Western observers attribute this development to Moscow’s recklessness. Historically, Russian decision-making has often been reactiveacting first, contemplating later, and suffering the consequences afterward. Past miscalculations include the Soviet intervention in Afghanistan, which led to the collapse of the USSR into 15 independent states, and its role in the disintegration of East Pakistan to weaken Pakistan.
Today, Russia’s long-standing military ties with India have strengthened New Delhi, which now aligns more closely with the United States. Eventually, India may challenge Russian interests, further complicating Moscow’s strategic position. Instead of coercing Iran into full dependency on Russia, the United States could consider diplomatic engagement, providing Iran with security assurances against potential Israeli or American attacks.
The current reality, however, is that Russia is not only supplying advanced weapons to Iran but also extending its support to pro-Iranian armed groups, including the Houthis in Yemen and Hezbollah in Lebanon. According to The Wall Street Journal, Moscow provided satellite intelligence that enabled Houthi forces to target U.S. and Israeli ships in the Mediterranean. Additionally, Russia allegedly funneled $10 million in weapons to the Houthis via Iran.
In Lebanon, Hezbollah received sophisticated Russian-made anti-tank guided missiles, which were later deployed against Israeli targets. Russia has also supplied arms to resistance forces operating in the Golan Heights, signaling its broader role in supporting Iran’s regional proxies. These developments underscore a major geopolitical shift, where Moscow, once a neutral actor in Iran’s nuclear affairs, is now a key enabler of Tehran’s strategic ambitions.
Israel responded with full force following Hamas’ surprise attack on October 7, 2023. It carried out precision strikes that eliminated 16 senior Hezbollah commanders, including key figures like Hassan Nasrallah, significantly weakening Hezbollah’s operational strength in Lebanon. The retaliation included the deployment of missiles and drones, which also led to the destruction of Iran’s missile factories, its S-300 air defense systems, and other critical defense infrastructure. Since then, Iran has found itself with limited strategic options and increasingly sees nuclear capability as its ultimate deterrent.
While Iran possesses uranium enrichment facilities, technical expertise, and the necessary infrastructure, it has refrained from assembling a nuclear weapon, fearing severe repercussions from Israel and the United States. However, with Russia’s backing, this restraint may not last indefinitely. In September 2024, U.S. intelligence reports indicated that Russia had increased its nuclear cooperation with Iran.
Moscow is now supplying Iran with nuclear technology, including materials crucial for weaponization, and providing guidance on warhead design and delivery systems. Russia is also offering Iran satellite and space-based rocket technology, further enhancing Tehran’s strategic capabilities. Most surprisingly, reports suggest that Russia is considering equipping Iran with technology for miniaturized nuclear weapons, deployable via missile systems. Simultaneously, Moscow is assisting Iran in restoring its air defense systems, enabling it to withstand potential aerial assaults.
Under the rising U.S. and Israeli pressure, Iran is resisting fiercely, determined to ensure its survival by any means necessary. As tensions escalate, the implications extend beyond Iran itself. For Pakistan, which shares a border with Iran, any military confrontation involving Tehran could have serious geopolitical and security repercussions. A full-scale conflict could destabilize the entire region, making it imperative for global powers to reassess their approach to Iran and its growing alignment with Russia.
The author is the Chief Editor of the monthly Interaction.