Kremlin Breathes Relief as Iran Protests Peak, Denouncing US Interference
Russia's Kremlin expresses confidence that Iran's mass protests have peaked. Moscow denounces Trump's interference but remains strategically cautious to protect its interests in Ukraine.
The fire in Tehran is smoldering, and Moscow is finally exhaling. The Kremlin is confident that the mass protests in Iran have reached their peak, with the leadership successfully suppressing domestic resistance. According to expert Nikita Smagin, Russia's embassy in Tehran has informed Moscow that the unrest is dying down and the regime is no longer under immediate internal threat.
Russia Iran Protests 2026: The Rhetoric of Resistance
The protests, sparked by economic hardships on December 28, 2025, swept through hundreds of cities in the nation of 90 million. As Iranian law enforcement moved to squash the movement, Russia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs stepped in with verbal support. Spokeswoman Mariya Zakharova slammed 'illegal Western pressure' and accused external forces of attempting to organize a 'color revolution' similar to those seen in Ukraine and Georgia.
The Kremlin specifically targeted U.S. President Donald Trump, who had urged Iranians to 'take over institutions' and claimed 'help is on its way.' Zakharova called these threats 'categorically unacceptable,' even as state media reported over 100 security personnel killed during the two weeks of chaos. Meanwhile, Iran has maintained an internet blackout for 5 days to stifle coordination.
Calculated Silence and Strategic Limitations
Despite the fierce rhetoric, President Vladimir Putin hasn't personally commented on the unrest. Analysts suggest the Kremlin's initial two-week silence was a hedge against the possibility of Ayatollah Khamenei's fall. Just as in the case of Syria in 2024, Moscow prioritizes its military bases and energy contracts over personal loyalty to specific leaders.
There's also the 'Trump factor.' Former diplomat Boris Bondarev points out that Russia is too bogged down in Ukraine to risk military support for Tehran. Furthermore, the Kremlin fears that pushing back too hard against Trump's actions in Iran might jeopardize potential concessions on the Ukrainian front line. For now, Moscow is choosing bark over bite.
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