[robowombat]

For Russia Iran is a useful stalking horse to use against the US. Long term Russian goal is to replace the US as the dominant power in the Iran-Pak-Afghanistan region and become the dominant force in the Persian Gulf oil region. For that reason Iran and Russia now have a similar goal, expel the US from the region. If that were to come about Iran would find the nature of its relationship with Russia changing in ways it would not like.

[Lady Heron]

For Russia Iran is a useful stalking horse to use against the US. Long term Russian goal is to replace the US as the dominant power in the Iran-Pak-Afghanistan region and become the dominant force in the Persian Gulf oil region. For that reason Iran and Russia now have a similar goal, expel the US from the region. If that were to come about Iran would find the nature of its relationship with Russia changing in ways it would not like.

It also does not hurt Russia for Middle Eastern oil to be off line....They become the top dog with their oil supplies. That in itself would make them a power again. Why not first create the situation and then sit back and let China and the West duke it out.