Russia and Iran use Caspian Sea trade route to aid Tehran’s drone program - NYT

JPost ^ | May 9, 2026

[Milagros]

Russia is using the Caspian Sea to ship drone components to Iran in order to help the Islamic Republic rebuild its offensive capabilities, the New York Times reported on Saturday, citing US officials.

The report stated that the Caspian Sea has now become a vital trade route between the two allies. Russia is now sending goods that would traditionally travel through the Strait of Hormuz to ports along the Caspian Sea.

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TOPICS: Iran; News/Current Events; Russia; War on Terror
KEYWORDS: armchairadmirals; armchairgeneralsoffr; habitualcomplainers; habitualcomplaining; iran; russia

[Captain Walker]

Oh, well.

[libh8er]

So the naval blockade is basically meaningless now. Everything comes from Russia via the Caspian Sea, including from China via Russia. How is Trump going to respond now.

[xone]

the naval blockade is basically meaningless now.

Really? Iranian oil moving?

[Secret Agent Man]

They can wipe out itanian ports on the caspian sea.

[Carry_Okie]

The drones have to get from the dock to where they will be deployed. The roads and rails in between should be toast by now. The same for anything coming in from Pakistan or Afghanistan. It’s easy. It should have been done during the first go-round.

[xkaydet65]

Been waiting for this. I expect that someone knew how to read a map. Oh and I’d guess Iran’s oil is going the other way and then taking the train to China.

[Midwesterner53]

The Caspian Sea is well without reach of our weapons systems.

[Captain Walker]

The roads and rails in between should be toast by now. The same for anything coming in from Pakistan or Afghanistan. It’s easy. It should have been done during the first go-round.

It's easy?

We couldn't even shut the Ho Chi Minh trail down.

[neverevergiveup]

This doesn't render the naval blockade meaningless. It is a route for Iran to export some oil, but it's not an easy route. The Caspian Sea is land-locked and Iran would have to ship oil to either Russia or Kazakhstan to transfer to land transport or pipelines in order to distribute more widely. Yes, Russia could send drones etc. to Iran via the Caspian Sea, but we could also destroy land routes in Iran for distribution from Caspian Sea ports. We could also destroy their Caspian Sea ports.

Further, we could let Moscow know that we will send advanced weapon systems to Ukraine if they try to resupply the Mullahs.

[R_Kangel]

...... This Cease Fire is going as planned .... for them. They should be armed and ready to continue the festivities soon.....

.

[wardamneagle]

Well duuuh

[ansel12]

Is it the triple canopy jungle, 1960s technology, and being located in other countries, that would make it as difficult to deal with as the Ho Chi Minh Trail was?

[Carry_Okie]

With as mountainous as Iran is, there are lots of bridges to blow.

[Brian Griffin]

Ukraine seems to be doing better according to the ISW.

Before sending more nasty stuff off to Iran, Russians might ponder why that might be.

[alexander_busek]

The Caspian Sea is well without within reach of our weapons systems.

There, fixed it!

Regards,

[Robert357]

The US military should cut a deal with Ukraine. Provide Ukraine with whatever weapons they want, give them real time satellite intelligence on Russian activities in the air and water over the Caspian Sea and let them kill Russians.

[Machavelli]

Here we go again. Leaders of countries are responsible. Sometimes their egos get in the way. Yes, that goes for Trump and Putin. Yet, to my knowledge Putin has not said that he hates and America and wants to kill all Americans. I hope that he sees that if that should happen, the fanatical muslims in Iran will turn to every other country and try to kill all non-muslims, including those in Russia.

[Midwesterner53]

Yes, thank you.

[Robert357]

Putin already understands that fanatical Muslims will kill Orthodox Russian Christians. Certain members of the Chechen Republic have taught him that fact long ago.