Russia Stays Cautious Amid Iran Unrest, Protects Reputation

Protests in Iran Have Reached a Peak, Claims Russia

The Kremlin is confident that the mass protests in Iran have peaked, and the leadership in Tehran has managed to control the internal resistance, according to Nikita Smagin, one of Russia's leading experts on Iran. The Russian Embassy in Tehran has informed Moscow that the protests have diminished, leading the Kremlin to "breathe a sigh of relief".

The protests, sparked by economic difficulties, began on December 28 and have spread across hundreds of cities in this sanctions-hit country of over 90 million residents. Iranian security forces have violently suppressed these demonstrations in some instances. Moscow believes there are "no internal threats to Iran".

The Russian Foreign Ministry condemned the "illegal pressure from the West" and criticized external forces attempting to "destabilize and destroy" the Islamic Republic. The ministry's spokesperson, Mariya Zakharova, stated that notorious methods of "color revolutions" are being used to turn peaceful protests into acts of violence.

Despite accusations aimed at U.S. President Donald Trump, who called on Iranians to take control of institutions, Moscow seems reluctant to make harsher statements, fearing that such remarks could complicate relations with a potential replacement administration in Iran.

Relations between Russia and Iran have been complex throughout history. Despite a turbulent past, Moscow has become a key international supporter of Tehran since the fall of the Soviet Union, providing military and technological assistance.

However, a former Russian diplomat emphasized that Russia will not risk a new "reputation failure", considering that Western sanctions are squeezing the Russian economy and the population is exhausted from internal conflicts.

While pro-Kremlin analysts anticipate support from Moscow for reforms in Iran following the suppression of protests, many Russian citizens are more concerned with domestic issues than with events occurring in the Middle East.