I posted a while back that it would make sense to basically just let Russia & Assad have Syria (and Syria’s myriad problems).
Spelled out a bit further: In return Russia & Assad would offer some protection in the form of air defense for Christians, Kurds, and some others, and Russia would essentially guarantee the Iranians not be allowed to seriously threaten Israel.
The Iranians are (at least for now) still the Iranians, and likely to try to pull some stuff: This attack may (may) just be a slap on the wrist to tell them to behave.
Of course it could also just be friendly fire.
The ties between Russia and Iran are not really an “alliance” and can never be a strategic partnership. They’re not friends nor are they enemies.... Both sides are used to and adept at mixing cooperation and contention on different issues ‘at the same time’ because centuries of conflicts have taught them how to survive their differences.
Additionally Iran appears envious of Russian influence over Assad. Russia is displacing Iran in Damascus, and
Tehran does not like this. Russia wants a secular government in Syria, and Iran does not agree with this idea. Russia wants any future leadership in Damascus to respect Russian access to its two bases in Syria and Russian wider interests in Middle East politics...... Iran also does not like it that Russia does nothing to prevent Israeli attacks on Iranian interests in Syria, and that Russia is not interested in helping Hizballah on the Golan Heights.