Russia’s Stakes in the Iran War, With Thomas Graham

This episode unpacks the opportunities and risks Moscow is facing amid the U.S. and Israeli war with Iran.

Host:

James M. Lindsay (cfr.org/experts/james-m-lindsay), Mary and David Boies Distinguished Senior Fellow in U.S. Foreign Policy, CFR

Guest:

Thomas Graham (cfr.org/experts/thomas-graham), Distinguished Fellow, CFR

We Discuss:

• Whether Russia and Iran are true allies, or simply friends of convenience.

• How decades of rivalry and recent convergence shaped the current Moscow-Tehran relationship.

• Why Russia's strategic partnership with Iran excludes a mutual defense obligation.

• What role Russian intelligence sharing may be playing on the Middle East battlefield.

• How rising oil prices help Russia in the short term but carry serious long-term economic risks.

• Whether keeping the Strait of Hormuz closed serves Moscow's interest.

• How Operation Epic Fury has stalled peace negotiations in the Russia-Ukraine war, and complicated weapons supply to Kyiv.

Mentioned on the Episode:

Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (2009-2017.state.gov/documents/organization/245…), July 14, 2015

Russia-Iran Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Treaty (mid.ru/en/foreign_policy/news/2050909), January 17, 2025

For an episode transcript and show notes, visit The President’s Inbox at: cfr.org/podcasts/presidents-inbox/russias-stak…

Opinions expressed on The President’s Inbox are solely those of the host or guests, not of CFR, which takes no institutional positions on matters of policy.