Putin backs Iran on Nowruz amid US intelligence deal rumors

By Ahmet Taş | Wise News Press

MOSCOW, RUSSIA — Russian President Vladimir Putin sent an official message of support to the Iranian leadership on the occasion of the Nowruz holiday, amid rising tensions and ongoing military conflicts in the Middle East.

While the Kremlin emphasized Moscow's unwavering friendship with Tehran, explosive claims surfaced in the international press suggesting that Russia offered the United States a secret, mutual intelligence-sharing concession concerning both the Middle East and Ukraine.

"A loyal friend and reliable partner"

The Kremlin publicly shared the details of the congratulatory Nowruz messages sent by Putin to Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian. According to reports cited by DW Türkçe, the official statement highlighted Russia's continued solidarity with its regional ally.

"Wishing the Iranian people to emerge from these difficult trials with their heads held high, Vladimir Putin emphasized that Moscow continues to be a loyal friend and a reliable partner to Tehran during this difficult period," the Kremlin statement read.

Debates over Moscow's actual military support

Russia maintains that the joint US and Israeli attacks on Iran are dragging the entire Middle East into an abyss and triggering a massive global energy crisis. Furthermore, the Moscow administration previously condemned the killing of Iran's former Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei at the onset of the conflict, labeling it an insidious murder.

Despite these strong diplomatic statements, the actual extent of Moscow's practical support for Tehran remains a subject of debate. Some Iranian sources indicate that they have received very little real assistance from Russia during what is considered the biggest crisis the country has faced since the 1979 revolution. This skepticism is supported by the fact that the strategic partnership agreement signed between the two countries in January of last year does not contain a mutual defense clause. Additionally, Russia has repeatedly stated its opposition to Iran developing a nuclear bomb, fearing it would spark a devastating nuclear arms race across the Middle East.

Alleged "quid pro quo" offer to the US

Another significant development in the diplomatic arena was the claim that Russia proposed a quid pro quo deal to Washington. According to a report by Politico, Moscow offered to stop sharing critical intelligence with Iran, such as the precise coordinates of US military assets in the Middle East. In exchange for this step, Russia demanded that the US cease sharing intelligence about Russian operations with Ukraine. The report noted that the US side flatly rejected the proposal.

Denials follow secret meeting claims

Based on information from two sources reportedly familiar with US-Russia negotiations, this controversial proposal was brought up last week during a meeting in Miami, Florida. The offer was allegedly conveyed by Kirill Dmitriev, the CEO of the Russian Direct Investment Fund, to Steve Witkoff, the US Special Envoy for the Middle East representing the Donald Trump administration, and Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner.

Following these allegations, the White House declined to make any official comment on the matter. Meanwhile, Kirill Dmitriev, the Russian official who allegedly held the meeting, categorically denied the news, dismissing the entire report as a complete fabrication.

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