Iran and Russia: An Unholy Alliance // FAI ONLINE

The Russian and Iranian regimes have secretly entered into “sordid deals” according to the British government, in what the Biden Administration has described as an “unprecedented” level of cooperation in recent months. On Friday, US National Security Advisor John Kirby reported that "Iran has become Russia's top military backer” through “an unprecedented level of military and technical support that is transforming their relationship into a full-fledged defense partnership.” As Moscow has become more isolated on the world stage due to its invasion of Ukraine, and likewise Tehran due to its violent repression of street demonstrations across Iran, both governments have increasingly turned to one another for bilateral support.

The increased level of military cooperation was first reported last July, when the White House reported that Iran was preparing to supply Vladimir Putin with “hundreds” of Iranian-manufactured suicide drones for use against targets in Ukraine. Wreckage of Iranian drones has already been extensively documented across Ukraine, including Russian strikes which targeted civilian infrastructure. In October, at least 10 members of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) were killed in Crimea by Ukranian strikes while training the Russian military to deploy and operate Iranian drone technology. The US government later designated three Russian firms which it claims were involved in the sale and transport of drones from Iran.

Additional intelligence was released by the US and UK governments this month demonstrating a much deeper level of military integration between Putin and the ayatollahs than previously known to the public, including the joint-production of Iranian drones on Russian soil, and the sale of “hundreds” of Iranian ballistic missiles to Russia. At the same time, evidence has surfaced that Moscow is providing Iran with military tech and training, including upgraded air defense systems, attack helicopters, and training for Iranian pilots in 4th generation fighter jets. Such developments are especially concerning for Israel and Sunni Arab states, as Russian cooperation buttresses Iranian defenses and increases the regime’s offensive capabilities while Tehran’s nuclear weapons program continues to advance.

We ask the Marantha global family to join us in intercession for the people of Russia, Ukraine, Iran, and the Arab World. We pray that what is whispered in the secret rooms of wicked political leaders would be shouted from the rooftops on the international stage. We pray for divine protection over the people of Iran and Ukraine. And as the Middle East appears to be moving towards a large-scale conflict, we pray that the underground churches across the region would continue to stand as a witness of grace and truth, and that disciples would continue to multiply across the Middle East.

Maranatha.