Some of Iran's elites see Russia's defeat as threat - orientalist Semyvolos

Ihor Semyvolos, head of the Center for Middle East Studies, shared his opinions with Espreso TV.

"It’s questionable whether they can assess their future realistically. When one becomes closely aligned with Russia, a sense emerges that Russia's defeat would result in a collective defeat for all. Some Iranian elites who have aligned themselves with the Russians have this mindset. They are looking at this war through the prism of their own security and the threats that lie ahead," he said.

Semyvolos also shared his comments on the reports about the construction of an Iranian drone manufacturing plant in Tatarstan, Russia.

"As for the plant, this is not the first drone factory built with the help of other Middle Eastern countries. The plant is scheduled to be completed by 2024, but if there are additional sanctions and limitations on the supply of drone systems, it is clear that the plant will not reach its full production capacity. In the end, anything can happen to this plant - it can explode or something else. The threat exists, it is real," the expert added.

He added that cooperation between Iran and Russia in this area is quite strong.

"The Iranians are not going to stop it, as some of them see it as an existential threat. Something has to be done about it, not only for Ukraine, but also for the Americans, Europeans, and everyone else. The issue of Iran will soon take center stage on the agenda," Semyvolos summarized.

• In May, CNN noted that Iran was supplying Russia with more and more ammunition via the Caspian Sea, and the West could not prevent this.

• On June 5, the media reported on a contract for Russia to purchase artillery and tank shells, as well as missiles of various sizes from Iran.

• According to US intelligence, Iran is providing Russia with materials for the construction of a drone manufacturing plant east of Moscow, as Russia seeks to obtain a steady supply of weapons for the war in Ukraine.

• According to media reports, Western experts who studied the Iranian “kamikaze” drone shot down in Ukraine said one of its parts was made in China in early 2023.