Iran power change may cut Russia's military lifeline — diplomat

Volodymyr Khandohii, President of the Ukrainian Association of Foreign Policy and Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary, stated this on Espreso TV.

"The situation with Iran has two sides. One positive side that could benefit Ukraine. This would happen if power in Iran changes - undoubtedly with U.S. assistance - then Iran's foreign policy would shift from supporting Russia to showing loyalty to the U.S.," Khandohii noted.

According to the diplomat, an advantage would be that the military support Iran provides to Russia would be stopped. At the very least, the Shaheds that Iran supplies to the Russian side could be redirected elsewhere.

"Of course, the diversion of media attention, and most importantly, military-technical attention away from Ukraine's needs toward the necessity of resolving problems in Iran could have a negative impact. However, the development of events in Iran, if it concludes with achieving the goals that the protesters and the U.S. have set for themselves, will most likely benefit Ukraine," Khandohii concluded.

• The United States could conduct military operations against Iran within the next day as regional tensions escalate and Washington withdraws personnel from key bases across the Middle East.