Russia’s Stance on the US-Israeli Conflict with Iran
Russia’s ambassador to the UK, Andrey Kelin, has made it clear that his country is not neutral in the ongoing conflict between the US and Israel against Iran. He stated, “We are not neutral. No way neutral. We are supportive to Iran, of course.” This declaration highlights Moscow’s alignment with the hardline Tehran regime, despite denying any direct involvement in the recent air strikes.
Kelin emphasized that Russia maintains a “good relationship” with Iran but denied receiving any requests for assistance regarding the attacks that began over a week ago. The statement comes amid reports that an Iranian drone, which struck a British airbase in Cyprus, was equipped with Russian military hardware. The RAF Akrotiri base was hit by an Iranian drone fired from Lebanon on Sunday, and it is understood to have contained a Russian-made Kometa-B navigation system. This technology was first seen in drones intercepted by Ukrainian air defenses in December.
The components of the drone recovered by British military intelligence have been sent to a laboratory in the UK for further investigation, according to The Times. A source told The Washington Post that the alleged Russian support constitutes a “pretty comprehensive effort” to help its ally Tehran target American forces in the region. Despite this, US President Donald Trump claims he has received “no indication” that Russia is assisting Iran, stating, “If they are, they’re not doing a very good job, because Iran is not doing too well.”
Intelligence Sharing and Military Concerns
Reports suggest that Russia is providing Iran with intelligence on the location of US military assets, including warships and aircraft in the Middle East. Three officials familiar with the intelligence confirmed that this assistance has been ongoing since the war began on Saturday. Sir Richard Knighton, the chief of the defence staff, stated he had “no doubt” that Russia had been sharing intelligence with Iran.
The head of the British armed forces also confirmed that the attack on the airbase was launched from Lebanon by an “Iranian-aligned group.” Concerns have since been raised that British military assets, including two Wildcat helicopters that arrived in Cyprus on Friday, could be targeted.
The UK was preparing to deploy HMS Prince of Wales, one of its two aircraft carriers, to the Middle East, but Trump has since informed Sir Keir Starmer that the US does not need Britain to send its aircraft carriers. The £3 billion warship carries F-35 fighter jets and would be deployed alongside an escort of other vessels and a submarine if sent to the region. The Ministry of Defence said it was increasing the preparedness of HMS Prince of Wales and reducing the time it would take to set sail, but no decisions have been taken to deploy the warship.
Political Controversies and International Reactions
Sir Keir has faced criticism from allies in the Middle East over the lack of preparations that led to Cyprus seeking military support from France, Italy, and Spain rather than Britain after RAF Akrotiri was hit by an Iranian drone. RAF Akrotiri was targeted on Sunday night and again on Monday, after Sir Keir eventually gave America the green light to use joint US/UK bases more than 24 hours after Washington began its operation by taking out Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
The Prime Minister has also been criticized for initially denying permission to let the US use British bases in its strikes on the Iranian regime. He made a partial U-turn on Sunday, allowing US jets to fly from British bases for the “limited” objective of destroying Iranian missile launchers and stockpiles. Trump said the PM took “far too long” to lift the ban on US forces flying from RAF Fairford and Diego Garcia.
Diplomatic and Strategic Challenges
Tory leader Kemi Badenoch accused the Prime Minister of being “too scared to make foreign interventions,” stating the UK is “in this war whether Keir Starmer likes it or not” in a speech on Saturday. Sir Keir defended his decision not to permit the US to use British bases in the opening assault against the Tehran regime, suggesting it could have been unlawful and arguing the government must keep a “cool head.”
The Ministry of Defence confirmed the US started using British bases for “specific defensive operations to prevent Iran firing missiles into the region” after American bombers landed at a Gloucestershire base. A first 146ft B-1 Lancer arrived at RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire on Friday evening, and three more followed on Saturday morning. A Merlin helicopter is also being sent to the region to help with surveillance from the air, while RAF Typhoon and F-35 jets continue air operations over Jordan, Qatar, and Cyprus.
Ongoing Tensions and Future Prospects
Iran has continued to launch missiles and drones at targets across the Gulf despite an earlier apology from President Masoud Pezeshkian, who referred to previous strikes, adding the country will “no longer attack neighboring countries or launch missiles unless an attack on Iran originates from those countries.”
President Trump said he may “possibly” deploy US troops on the ground into Iran, but there would need to be a “very good reason.” When asked about reports that he is “seriously considering” sending US soldiers into Iran, Trump initially brushed off the question, saying he didn’t think it was “appropriate.” He added, “I don’t even want to talk about it now. Could there be? Possibly, for very good reason, have to be very good reason. I would say if we ever did that they would be so decimated that they wouldn’t be able to fight at the ground level.”
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said he was “certain” that Iran was receiving arms from Russia, stating, “I think all of this is found in the fragments of the Shaheds striking the Middle East today. Iranian Shaheds contain Russian-made components. This is something we know for certain.” Iran first began supplying Russia with drones in 2022, which have been used in the daily strikes on Ukrainian cities. British defense intelligence understands Russia sent 55,000 one-way attack drones into Ukraine last year, with almost 600 civilians believed to have been killed in drone attacks across Ukraine last year.
