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Russia and Iran deepen cooperation
Putin's willingness to consider supporting the Houthis is part of Russian-Iranian military cooperation and Russia's growing dependence on Iran for precision weapons and components.
The Institute for the Study of War (ISW) noted in its daily review that the Kremlin had likely planned to transfer missiles and other military equipment to the Houthis in Yemen, but diplomatic pressure forced it to abandon the move. This is stated in the report of the Institute for the Study of War on the eve of August 3.
According to analysts, the existence of such a plan emphasizes the growth of the military partnership between Moscow and Tehran. They suggested that Russia probably seeks to use Iranian proxies to indirectly confront the West and still influence decisions made in Western capitals.
U.S. officials said Russia considered arming and advising the Houthis in response to easing restrictions on Ukraine's use of U.S. weapons to strike Russian territory. On June 6, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced that Russia would provide long-range weapons to unspecified entities to launch strikes on the West.
Russia's recently reported plans to support the Houthis for indirect confrontation with the West and the threat of further escalation are consistent with a series of Russian intelligence and hybrid operations aimed at inducing the West to withdraw its support for Ukraine due to fears of a confrontation with Russia, ISW analysts believe.
Putin's willingness to consider supporting the Houthis is part of Russian-Iranian military cooperation and Russia's growing dependence on Iran for precision weapons and components.
"Russia's deepening partnership with Iran is likely to prompt Russia to consider supporting other Iranian proxies and using these groups in other indirect attempts to threaten the West with escalation," ISW notes.
However, analysts explained that this could further complicate Russia's relations with countries concerned about Russian-Iranian cooperation.
