Context
Nikolai Patrushev, who heads Kremlin’s Security Council, said that Russia fears that Israel will push the United States into a military conflict with Iran, which will retaliate by closing the Strait of Hormuz. He also believes that Western countries will soon launch a military intervention in Syria, to undermine Iran’s regional support. He said west is trying to punish the Assad’s regime for its ties with Iran, and that he is receiving information that the NATO is intending to move from indirect intervention to military intervention.
Tension over Iranian uranium enrichment has further raised fear for oil supplies and even of war. Patrushev believes there is no substantial proof of Iran making a nuclear bomb. Iran has threatened to close the Strait, which would block 35% of the world’s sea borne trade.
Russia has opposed UN sanctions on Iran; however, Patrushev expressed hope that Putin and Obama would work well, if re-elected.
