Putin is “biting his nails” as the US and Israel strike Iran. Experts warn: “Russia will lose a vital military partner”
Vladimir Putin is 'biting his nails' amid US attacks on Iran, security expert says. He argues that the loss of this ally could weaken Russia's strategic position.
Vladimir Putin PHOTO: AFP
Anthony Glees, a professor at the University of Buckingham, described the attacks as “a moment of extreme danger” for countries including Britain, but suggested Iran's allies Russian President Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping would stay out of the conflict “for now”.
“But neither leader will be happy with the US-Israel attack, and if the situation deteriorates today, I would expect Xi, in particular, to call for an end to hostilities. Iran is a key ally of Putin. He will be biting his nails right now. If the ayatollahs fall, he will lose a vital military partner.” said Anthony Glees, for the express.
US and Israeli forces carried out a series of strikes on Tehran and other cities early Saturday, claiming they were acting preemptively and urging Iranians to topple the regime.
President Donald Trump said in a video posted on social media that the US had begun “major military operations” in Iran.
He stated that Iran continued to develop its nuclear program and intended to develop missiles that could reach US territory.
Iran responded to the attacks by launching a barrage of missiles and drones at Israel. It later appeared to target US military installations in Kuwait and Qatar, while explosions could be heard.
“If Iran attacks the US navy or bases in the Gulf, we would expect an all-out war. My biggest fear would be that this conflict could quickly degenerate into another Iraq-style war.”Professor Glees claims.
The Russian Foreign Ministry on Saturday condemned the US-Israeli attacks on Iran as “a planned and unprovoked act of armed aggression against a sovereign and independent UN member state”. He called for an immediate end to the military campaign and a return to diplomacy.
In a statement posted on Telegram, the ministry accused Washington and Tel Aviv of “hide behind” concerns about the Iranian nuclear program, actually aiming for regime change.
Putin condemned attacks on Iran's nuclear facilities in June 2025, describing them as “absolutely unprovoked aggression”. He did not directly name the US for those attacks, which were carried out in conjunction with Israel.
Moscow has not offered public military aid since last year's attacks, and Putin appeared to downplay Russia's obligations under a strategic deal signed between the Russians and the Iranians.
The RUSI think tank said in early February that Putin cannot afford to get involved in another war. Analysts said Russia “has to walk a fine line” between minimally supporting Iran and ensuring it remains relevant in the region.
Trump said earlier this month that he and President Xi had discussed Iran. The call came amid US efforts to isolate the Islamic Republic.
During the June attacks on Iran, Xi said that escalation was not in the “common interest” of the international community and that China was opposed to violating the sovereignty and security of other states.
Israel said of the latest attacks that they were carried out as “a large-scale, coordinated and joint operation against the regime”. Tel Aviv said the operation had been planned for months between the Israeli and US militaries.
Iran's paramilitary Revolutionary Guard said on Saturday it had launched “first wave” of drones and missiles on Israel, suggesting it is planning further attacks.
