In March 2026, as the smoke cleared over Tehran following the U.S.-Israeli campaign against Iran’s leadership, Russia’s response was strikingly restrained. Despite a 20-year strategic partnership treaty signed with Tehran just last year, Moscow limited its reaction to condemnation and calls for diplomacy. 

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov confirmed that Russia had received no request from Iran for military assistance. «There were no requests from Iran in this case,» Peskov told reporters on March 5th.

For analysts who study the relationship between Moscow and Tehran, the moment felt familiar. «The relationship has always been transactional,» said Ksenia Svetlova, executive director of the Regional Organization for Peace, Economy and Security (ROPES) and an associate fellow at Chatham House. «Russia does what serves its own interests.»

While Iran and Russia have moved closer in recent years — particularly after Moscow’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine — experts say the partnership has never resembled a true alliance. Instead, they say, it reflects a long history of cooperation shaped by convenience, rivalry and shifting geopolitical needs.

HEGSETH WARNS RUSSIA AS SIGNS POINT TO MOSCOW SHARING INTEL WITH IRAN

The Shadow of Turkmenchay

The uneasy relationship between the two powers stretches back nearly two centuries. In 1828, the Treaty of Turkmenchay forced Persia to cede large parts of the Caucasus to the Russian Empire after a military defeat. The treaty remains one of the most painful symbols of foreign domination in Iranian political memory.

In the twentieth century, Russia’s relationship with Iran shifted dramatically. Before the 1979 Islamic Revolution, Moscow maintained relatively stable ties with Iran under Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi. «It actually had good relations with the Shah who visited Moscow after World War II,» Svetlova said.

«But Communist Russia was very suspicious of Islamist Iran after the 1979 revolution,» said Svetlova. It was a mutual distrust; Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini denounced both Cold War superpowers, calling the United States the «Great Satan» and the Soviet Union the «Lesser Satan.» 

Even during the Iran-Iraq War of the 1980s, the Soviet Union maintained ties with Tehran while simultaneously supplying weapons to Iraq. «The Soviet Union was very suspicious of Islamist Iran,» Svetlova said. «Even after the revolution, the relationship could not really be considered an alliance.»

AS UKRAINE WAR DRAGS ON, TRUMP HITS PUTIN BY SQUEEZING RUSSIA’S PROXIES

Iran uses Russia exercises to reposition strike drones in Strait of Hormuz, a defense expert said. (Iranian Army/Handout/Anadolu via Getty Images)

The Drone Marriage

In recent years, however, geopolitical pressures pushed the two countries closer together. Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022 created new military cooperation between Moscow and Tehran. 

Though Russia and Iran have not shared a land border since the 1991 collapse of the Soviet Union, they remain «neighbors» via the Caspian Sea. This «blue border» became a vital artery in 2022 when Iran supplied the Shahed-series drones used in Ukraine, that Russia has used extensively in attacks on Ukrainian infrastructure.

Vice Adm. Robert S. Harward, a retired Navy SEAL and former deputy commander of U.S. Central Command, said the partnership has had direct consequences on the battlefield. «Sadly, the world is just now getting a taste of Iranian drones. But there’s one group that already knows them well, the Christians in Ukraine,» Harward said. «Close to 600 Ukrainian churches have been destroyed by Russian attacks, including from the Iranian Shahed drones.»

The remains of a Russian-made, Iran-designed Shahed-136 drone, known in Russia as a Geran-2, are displayed with other recovered drones, glide bombs, missiles and rockets in Kharkiv on July 30, 2025. (Scott Peterson/Getty Images)

Carrie Filipetti, executive director of the Vandenberg Coalition and a former deputy assistant secretary of state, argued that Russia’s continued use of Iranian drones against Ukrainian targets underscores the depth of the military relationship, while its calls for restraint in the current conflict highlight a fundamental contradiction. «If Russia were serious about peace, we would see a ceasefire with Ukraine months ago,» she said. «Yet, Putin continues to attack Ukrainian cities, churches and civilians with Iranian drones day after day.»

And yet, Russia’s dependence on Iranian drones during the early stages of the Ukraine war has also diminished as Moscow built its own production capacity. A report cited by the Washington Post found that Russia has «transitioned from importing Iranian Shahed drones to mass-manufacturing them» under the name Geran-2.

Limits and Intelligence

War Secretary Pete Hegseth said Tuesday that Russia «should not be involved» in the escalating conflict between the United States, Israel and Iran, as reports that Russia has provided information that could help Iran identify U.S. military assets in the Middle East emerged. Moscow has not publicly confirmed the claims. 

«I believe Russia is providing Iran intelligence to more effectively target Americans, our allies and partners in the CENTCOM region,» said Lt. Gen. Richard Y. Newton III, a retired Air Force officer who served as assistant vice chief of staff of the U.S. Air Force. «It’s absolutely clear Russia is not our friend.»

IRAN LAUNCHES SATELLITES ON RUSSIAN ROCKETS AS MOSCOW-TEHRAN TIES DEEPEN

Members of the Iranian Navy attend the joint Navy exercise of Iran, China and Russia in the Gulf of Oman, Iran, in this handout image obtained on March 12, 2025.  (Iranian Army/WANA (West Asia News Agency)/Handout via Reuters)

«They are doing for the Iranians without spending money, spending troops or spending equipment,» Svetlova added. «They share knowledge. They supplied the Iranians with a target list, basically, through their satellites – American targets, but also air targets in the Gulf and Iraq.»

Harward argued that confronting this growing cooperation requires a broader strategy. «If we want to break the threat of the increasingly dangerous Russian-Iranian alliance, we need to fully decimate Iran’s capabilities to threaten our allies and the United States – and we need to continue to support Ukraine and get Europeans to do their part,» he said.

Filipetti remains skeptical of Moscow’s role as a mediator. «The idea that Russia would call on the U.S. and Israel to cease military operations against the regime in Iran and suggest that we should negotiate is absurd,» Filipetti said.

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Russian President Vladimir Putin (L) meets with Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in Tehran. ((Photo by Dmitry AZAROV / SPUTNIK / AFP) (Photo by DMITRY AZAROV/SPUTNIK/AFP via Getty Images))

Although Russia is falling short of helping Iran in a straightforward military way, experts say the cooperation in the world of intelligence has been profound. 

Ultimately, Newton argued that Russia’s actions should be viewed through the lens of President Vladimir Putin’s broader geopolitical goals. «Putin only does what serves Putin, and right now escalating the war in the Middle East and driving up oil prices only serves his interests so he can continue to fund his war machine against Ukraine,» he said.

Four suspected terror attacks have taken place in the United States since the Department of Homeland Security was defunded in a partial government shutdown last month, including one in the state of Michigan where Fox News Digital reached out to all the major Senate candidates if they support funding DHS.

Republican Mike Rogers, former chairman of the House Intelligence Committee, says he would be a «Yes» vote to re-open DHS and told Fox News Digital in an interview that «we needed all hands on deck» when the United States engaged in «defanging Iran» through military action and that a «life might depend on it.»

«This was an opportunity to have our law enforcement officers from immigration, from making sure that the Coast Guard’s up, the TSA is getting paid. This was an opportunity to stand up for America,» Rogers said. «It’s crazy to me that the Democrats just turned their back on safety and security of American citizens. They just turned their backs for some political purpose that they think is going to gain them votes in the fall. I’m disgusted by it. This is no time to play politics with people’s safety, and they’re doing it.»

Senate Democrats have voted four times over the past month to block Homeland Security funding because the bills include funding for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP). Democrats say reforms are needed at those two DHS agencies following the fatal shootings earlier this year by federal immigration agents of two U.S. citizens in Minnesota who were protesting the Trump administration’s unprecedented illegal immigration crackdown.

‘YOU CAN CRY ABOUT IT’: TEMPERS FLARE IN SENATE AS DHS SHUTDOWN DEBATE ERUPTS, STALEMATE DIGS DEEPER

Two Democrats, Sens. Elissa Slotkin and Gary Peters, are currently representing the state of Michigan in the U.S. Senate and both have so far voiced opposition to re-opening DHS. 

The three top Democrats running in the August 4 primary to replace the retiring Peters struck a different tone than Rogers when contacted by Fox News Digital about their support of funding DHS. 

Progressive Democratic candidate Abdul El-Sayed, endorsed by Independent Sen. Bernie Sanders, did not specify how he would vote on DHS funding but told Fox News Digital that «if the Trump administration were serious about keeping Americans safe from terror, they would not be funding ICE at a level higher than the FBI, cutting counterterrorism funding, or keeping the FBI from informing local law enforcement about terror threats that emerge from their illegal and unjustified war.»

«Let’s not confuse issues.» 

The other two top Democrats in the race, Mallory McMorrow and Haley Stevens, did not respond to requests for comment. 

TRUMP SAYS ‘WE’VE GOT OUR EYES ON’ IRANIAN SLEEPER CELLS IN US

On Thursday, as Democrats and Republicans clashed in Washington, D.C. over funding DHS, two separate attacks suspected of being related to terrorism or religious ideology occurred in the United States. 

In Virginia, 36-year-old Mohamed Bailor Jalloh, a former Army National Guard soldier convicted of supporting ISIS, reportedly shouted, «Allahu Akbar» as he opened fire inside Old Dominion University, killing devoted ROTC instructor Lt. Col. Brandon Shah and injuring two others.

In Michigan, Ayman Mohamad Ghazali, 41, allegedly rammed his vehicle into Temple Israel, a large Reform synagogue in West Bloomfield, and opened fire at security guards with a rifle, authorities said. Armed security returned fire and shot him dead.

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Those attacks came shortly after 53-year-old Senegal-born Ndiaga Diagne killed three people after allegedly opening fire outside a bar in Austin, Texas while wearing a shirt that said «property of Allah.» 

Not long after that, in New York City, two suspects were arrested after allegedly throwing improvised explosive devices near Gracie Mansion during a protest, with one reportedly telling authorities he was inspired by ISIS. 

Una agente inmobiliaria fue encontrada asesinada y descuartizada en un arroyo de Florianópolis. Por el crimen, la policía detuvo a tres vecinos del mismo complejo residencial donde vivía la víctima, Luciani Aparecida Estivalet Freitas, en el barrio Santinho de la ciudad turística.

Quién era la víctima y qué se sabe sobre su desaparición

Luciani Estivalet Freitas, de 47 años, vivía sola en un departamento del barrio Santinho. El último contacto con su familia fue el 4 de marzo, pero recién el 11 de marzo sus allegados denunciaron la desaparición de la mujer, tras recibir mensajes extraños y repletos de errores gramaticales enviados desde su celular.

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En una de ellos, Luciani decía que estaba bien, pero que un exnovio la estaba acosando y que pensaba pasar unos días en Paraguay con una amiga.

La familia sospechó que algo grave había ocurrido cuando Luciani no saludó a su madre por su cumpleaños, algo que nunca había pasado. Además, solía mantener un contacto diario con sus seres queridos, lo que hizo crecer la preocupación.

Quiénes son los detenidos por el crimen

Tras una investigación, la Policía detuvo a tres personas, todas residentes del mismo complejo que Luciani:

• Ângela Maria Moro (47), administradora del lugar.
• Matheus Vinícius Silveira Leite (27), vecino de la víctima.
• Letícia Jardim (30), pareja de Matheus.

La madre y el hermano adolescente de Matheus también fueron investigados, pero hasta el momento no enfrentan cargos. El menor, de 14 años, fue encontrado con productos comprados a nombre de Luciani.

Leé también: Le robó los ahorros a su hijo de 10 años para festejar su casamiento y la justicia lo obligó a devolvérselos

Cómo fue el crimen y qué se sabe de la investigación

La policía investiga el caso como latrocinio (robo seguido de muerte). Según la reconstrucción, Luciani fue asesinada y su cuerpo fue descuartizado.

Los restos de la mujer fueron divididos en cinco bolsas y trasladados en el auto de la propia víctima hasta una zona rural de Major Gercino, a más de 100 kilómetros de Florianópolis, donde los arrojaron a un arroyo. Hasta el viernes 13, solo se había hallado el torso de la mujer.

El auto de Luciani, un HB20, fue encontrado cerca de una posada y se confirmó que fue utilizado para transportar el cuerpo.

Cómo cayó la banda y qué hallaron en los allanamientos

La investigación avanzó cuando la policía detectó varias transacciones e interceptó a un adolescente que retiraba paquetes a nombre de Luciani.

El joven dijo que eran para su hermano, lo que llevó a los agentes hasta el complejo residencial. Allí, una de las sospechosas se presentó como responsable del lugar.

En los allanamientos, la policía encontró dos valijas con pertenencias de la víctima, además de objetos comprados con sus tarjetas: dos ballestas, un control de videojuegos y un televisor. También le habían sacado un crédito por 20.000 reales (unos 3700 dólares).

En el departamento de Luciani, su hermano grabó un video que muestra el lugar revuelto, comida podrida y platos sucios, una escena que reforzó las sospechas de la familia.

Qué se sabe de los antecedentes y el motivo del crimen

La policía confirmó que los tres detenidos ya tenían antecedentes penales. El diario Metrópoles indicó que Matheus Vinícius Silveira Leite era prófugo de la justicia en San Pablo, tras haber asesinado al dueño de una panadería de un disparo en la cabeza durante un robo en 2022.

El móvil principal del crimen de la agente inmobiliaria sería el robo, aunque los investigadores aún intentan determinar cómo se tomó la decisión de matarla y el grado de participación de cada uno.

Aunque los principales sospechosos están detenidos, la policía sigue trabajando para encontrar el resto del cuerpo de Luciani y esclarecer los detalles del crimen. También buscan determinar si hubo más personas involucradas y cómo se planificó el ataque.

El dolor de la familia

En las redes sociales, Matheus Estivalet Freitas, el hermano de Luciani, publicó un emotivo mensaje. “Lo que le hicieron a mi hermana fue brutal. Fue la personificación del mal en la Tierra. Ni siquiera vemos tanta crueldad hacia un animal. Todo esto ocurrió precisamente durante el Mes de la Mujer, la Semana de la Mujer, mientras Brasil sigue perdiendo a tantas mujeres a causa de la violencia”, expresó.

Matheus recordó a su hermana como una persona cariñosa que confiaba en quienes la rodeaban. “Mi hermana era amor. Mi hermana era dulzura. Confiaba demasiado en personas que creía amigas, pero que no lo eran. Personas que se aprovecharon de su inocencia, su confianza, sus secretos y su vida personal y profesional”, escribió.

Según declaró su hermano, Luciani “vivía con poco y no gastaba en nada”. “Siempre le decíamos que buscara un lugar mejor”, se lamentó en diálogo con el medio ND Mais y reiteró el pedido de justicia por su hermana.