{"id":18233,"date":"2026-03-31T15:39:26","date_gmt":"2026-03-31T15:39:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/jobuzo.com\/en\/pocketing-billions-how-the-iran-war-has-thrown-putin-an-oily-lifeline\/"},"modified":"2026-03-31T15:39:26","modified_gmt":"2026-03-31T15:39:26","slug":"pocketing-billions-how-the-iran-war-has-thrown-putin-an-oily-lifeline","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/jobuzo.com\/en\/pocketing-billions-how-the-iran-war-has-thrown-putin-an-oily-lifeline\/","title":{"rendered":"\u2018Pocketing billions\u2019: How the Iran war has thrown Putin an oily lifeline"},"content":{"rendered":"<div>\n<div data-testid=\"ad-sticky-container\" class=\"sc-37562b78-0 iLENDS\">\n<div class=\"container\">\n<div class=\"sc-54c4a04e-0 evuabm adWrapper noPrint sc-1c01c11e-0 jLbRED\" data-testid=\"ad\"><small class=\"sc-54c4a04e-2 dhgkTF\">Advertisement<\/small><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<header class=\"sc-ad76bc40-0 fNDZoQ\">\n<div class=\"sc-5cbbddda-0 hjlPcO\">\n<div data-testid=\"article-author\" class=\"sc-5cbbddda-1 hPBdKJ\" readability=\"4.1666666666667\">\n<div readability=\"5.1282051282051\">\n<p data-testid=\"article-datetime\" class=\"sc-5cbbddda-5 hxoHkT\"><span class=\"sc-a243f860-0 gjmXPs\"><time data-testid=\"storytile-timestamp\" datetime=\"2026-03-31T15:44:11+11:00\">March 31, 2026<!-- --> &mdash; 3:44pm<\/time><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"sc-7132c98c-0 efdRpd noPrint\" data-testid=\"article-actions\">\n<div class=\"sc-7132c98c-1 iddmiW\">\n<div class=\"sc-f9e3ccff-0 kbEYga\" readability=\"8.5431472081218\"><button aria-checked=\"false\" aria-label=\"Save article to read later\" role=\"switch\" type=\"button\" class=\"sc-f9e3ccff-1 kmQlMe\"><svg fill=\"none\" height=\"24\" stroke=\"currentColor\" stroke-width=\"1.5\" viewbox=\"0 0 24 24\" width=\"24\" class=\"sc-d1b14060-0 TUyao\"><path d=\"M5.75 4C5.75 3.86193 5.86193 3.75 6 3.75H18C18.1381 3.75 18.25 3.86193 18.25 4L18.25 19.7709L12.8004 16.9682C12.2981 16.7099 11.7019 16.7099 11.1996 16.9682L5.75 19.7709L5.75 4Z\"><\/path><\/svg><span class=\"sc-f9e3ccff-2 gaKrMl\">Save<\/span><\/button>\n<div aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"sc-ba6ddcd9-0 kskMyR sc-d1b14060-3 cpmcTK\" role=\"tooltip\" readability=\"8.0816326530612\">\n<p class=\"sc-d1b14060-4 JmUoF\">You have reached your maximum number of saved items.<\/p>\n<p>Remove items from your saved list to add more.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"sc-ba6ddcd9-0 jfkHmu sc-369d9219-0 eXOXvX\" role=\"tooltip\" readability=\"9\">\n<p class=\"sc-369d9219-1 bOiPYX\">Save this article for later<\/p>\n<p class=\"sc-369d9219-2 bufJxo\">Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime.<\/p>\n<p><button type=\"button\" class=\"sc-3f16ee48-0 sc-3f16ee48-6 sc-369d9219-3 bQUHHf bbwrGd jdMUKO\">Got it<\/button><\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"internal-linking-related-contents\"><a href=\"https:\/\/jobuzo.com\/en\/12-weeks-jail-for-school-it-support-technician-who-took-upskirt-videos-of-teachers\/\" class=\"template-1\"><span class=\"cta\">News :<\/span><span class=\"postTitle\">&lt;div&gt;12 weeks' jail for school IT support technician who took upskirt videos of teachers&lt;\/div&gt;<\/span><\/a><\/div><p><button aria-label=\"Set font size to normal\" aria-pressed=\"true\" class=\"sc-f7fd8257-1 yiNod\">A<\/button><button aria-label=\"Set font size to larger\" aria-pressed=\"false\" class=\"sc-f7fd8257-1 frqtnv\">A<\/button><button aria-label=\"Set font size to very large\" aria-pressed=\"false\" class=\"sc-f7fd8257-1 frqrHP\">A<\/button><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/header>\n<aside class=\"sc-6f94ac39-6 esmrVF\"><\/aside>\n<div class=\"sc-c502198b-0 NkURW\" readability=\"30.594879518072\">\n<p><strong>Washington:<\/strong> As Australia braces for fuel shortages and the world confronts the economic fallout from the US-Israeli war on Iran that could trigger a global recession, one country is reaping the spoils: Vladimir Putin&rsquo;s Russia.<\/p>\n<p>After 30 days of conflict in the Middle East, and with oil prices above $US100 a barrel, it is thought Russia has already collected billions in additional revenue &ndash; a boon just as Putin was facing serious budget pressure from a lagging economy and his war against Ukraine.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"sc-4820f69c-1 ZrhPA\"><button aria-label=\"enlarge image\" type=\"button\" class=\"sc-4820f69c-5 dyWwUw\">\n<div class=\"sc-d34e428-0 ikzfwY\"><picture><source media=\"(min-width: 1000px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.738%2C$multiply_0.9841%2C$ratio_1.5%2C$width_756%2C$x_0%2C$y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_86%2Cf_auto\/6d5f72e0e575cd2d2a99cf3228bc83810670c4472f2d9f739ad4496cd66089b4, https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.738%2C$multiply_1.9683%2C$ratio_1.5%2C$width_756%2C$x_0%2C$y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_62%2Cf_auto\/6d5f72e0e575cd2d2a99cf3228bc83810670c4472f2d9f739ad4496cd66089b4 2x\"><source media=\"(min-width: 750px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.738%2C$multiply_1.0159%2C$ratio_1.5%2C$width_756%2C$x_0%2C$y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_86%2Cf_auto\/6d5f72e0e575cd2d2a99cf3228bc83810670c4472f2d9f739ad4496cd66089b4, https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.738%2C$multiply_2.0317%2C$ratio_1.5%2C$width_756%2C$x_0%2C$y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_62%2Cf_auto\/6d5f72e0e575cd2d2a99cf3228bc83810670c4472f2d9f739ad4496cd66089b4 2x\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Surging oil prices and increased demand could throw Russia&rsquo;s Vladimir Putin a lifeline. \" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/%24zoom_0.738,%24multiply_0.7725,%24ratio_1.5,%24width_756,%24x_0,%24y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_86,f_auto\/6d5f72e0e575cd2d2a99cf3228bc83810670c4472f2d9f739ad4496cd66089b4\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.738%2C$multiply_0.7725%2C$ratio_1.5%2C$width_756%2C$x_0%2C$y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_86%2Cf_auto\/6d5f72e0e575cd2d2a99cf3228bc83810670c4472f2d9f739ad4496cd66089b4, https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.738%2C$multiply_1.545%2C$ratio_1.5%2C$width_756%2C$x_0%2C$y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_62%2Cf_auto\/6d5f72e0e575cd2d2a99cf3228bc83810670c4472f2d9f739ad4496cd66089b4 2x\" class=\"sc-d34e428-1 ldCIuB\"><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>\n<p><svg viewbox=\"0 0 38 38\" height=\"38px\" width=\"38px\" class=\"sc-4820f69c-4 iMiYlW\"><g stroke=\"#F4F5F7\" stroke-width=\"2\" fill=\"none\" fill-rule=\"evenodd\" stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\" transform=\"matrix(1, 0, 0, 1, 22.029383, 7.619553)\"><path d=\"M1 8l6.36396103-6.36396103M8 7V1H2\"><\/path><\/g><g stroke=\"#F4F5F7\" stroke-width=\"2\" fill=\"none\" fill-rule=\"evenodd\" stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\" transform=\"matrix(1, 0, 0, 1, 7.0731, 21.523087)\"><path d=\"M8 1L1.63603897 7.36396103M1 2v6h6\"><\/path><\/g><\/svg><\/p><\/button><figcaption data-testid=\"figure-caption\" class=\"sc-4820f69c-0 SuAZY\"><span>Surging oil prices and increased demand could throw Russia&rsquo;s Vladimir Putin a lifeline. <\/span><cite class=\"sc-4820f69c-2 jfXEoI\"><span class=\"sc-4820f69c-3 jfhtQZ\">Marija Ercegovac <\/span><\/cite><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>&ldquo;Every $US10 increase in the oil price gives Russia Inc about $US100 million ($146 million) a day,&rdquo; Carnegie Russia Eurasia Centre director Alexander Gabuev says, referring to the country&rsquo;s oil companies. &ldquo;So you can look at where the price has been before the war started, where it is now, and make your guesses. Russia is pocketing billions of US dollars monthly.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>Those figures come from Sergey Vakulenko&#8203;&#8203;&#8203;&#8203;, Gabuev&rsquo;s colleague at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, a Washington think tank. Vakulenko calculates that for each $US10 rise in the price of oil, Russian oil entities will raise an additional $US2.8 billion in revenue a month, of which the state will get $US1.63 billion.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"container\">\n<div class=\"sc-54c4a04e-0 yKpxh adWrapper noPrint sc-6f94ac39-3 fDyKLW\" data-testid=\"ad\"><small class=\"sc-54c4a04e-2 dhgkTF\">Advertisement<\/small><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"sc-c502198b-0 NkURW\" readability=\"35.503649635036\">\n<div class=\"internal-linking-related-contents\"><a href=\"https:\/\/jobuzo.com\/en\/migrant-acquitted-in-first-trial-over-us-border-military-zones\/\" class=\"template-1\"><span class=\"cta\">News :<\/span><span class=\"postTitle\">Migrant acquitted in first trial over US border military zones<\/span><\/a><\/div><p>The price of Russian Urals crude has essentially doubled since the summer, from below $US50 a barrel to above $US95, even $US100 &ndash; on parity with Brent crude. And when Russia sells oil to India, it typically indexes the price to Dubai crude, which, as Vakulenko says, has been &ldquo;through the roof&rdquo; of late.<\/p>\n<p>Russia is benefiting not only from higher oil prices following Iran&rsquo;s near-shutdown of the vital Strait of Hormuz, but also from the Trump administration&rsquo;s decision to temporarily lift sanctions on Russian oil sales to India and, later, on all Russian oil already at sea before March 12.<\/p>\n<p>According to the Finland-based Centre for Research on Clean Energy and Air, Russia&rsquo;s daily oil sales to India were worth &euro;60 million ($100.5 million) to &euro;65 million at the end of February, based on a 14-day rolling average. By March 22, that had reached &euro;125 million.<\/p>\n<p>And on Monday (Washington time), a sanctioned Russian oil tanker, the &zwnj;Anatoly Kolodkin, was approaching the Cuban port of Matanzas carrying about 730,000 barrels &ndash; a notable exemption to the US oil blockade on Cuba.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"container\">\n<div class=\"sc-54c4a04e-0 yKpxh adWrapper noPrint sc-6f94ac39-3 fDyKLW\" data-testid=\"ad\"><small class=\"sc-54c4a04e-2 dhgkTF\">Advertisement<\/small><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"sc-c502198b-0 NkURW\" readability=\"20.697788697789\">\n<p>&ldquo;They [Cubans] have to survive,&rdquo; Trump said of the decision to let the tanker through. &ldquo;I told them, if a country wants to send some oil into Cuba right now, I have no problem with it, whether it&rsquo;s Russia or not.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<aside data-testid=\"related-story\" class=\"sc-4dc7bff5-0 EmFFd\">\n<h2 data-testid=\"related-story-heading\" class=\"sc-4dc7bff5-1 ePqZbx\">Related Article<\/h2>\n<div class=\"sc-679b6ed4-0 VKgwt\" data-an-position=\"1\" imagepositions=\"top\" data-testid=\"story-tile\">\n<figure imagesizes=\"[object Object]\" class=\"sc-8825a2fb-0 kZkxVd\">\n<div class=\"sc-d34e428-0 ikzfwY\"><picture><source media=\"(min-width: 1000px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.3396%2C$multiply_0.2805%2C$ratio_1.777778%2C$width_1059%2C$x_105%2C$y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_86%2Cf_auto\/2a5dad066b3585f3518dd95a8ed9b0ed6e608d4a, https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.3396%2C$multiply_0.5609%2C$ratio_1.777778%2C$width_1059%2C$x_105%2C$y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_62%2Cf_auto\/2a5dad066b3585f3518dd95a8ed9b0ed6e608d4a 2x\"><source media=\"(min-width: 750px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.3396%2C$multiply_0.2842%2C$ratio_1.777778%2C$width_1059%2C$x_105%2C$y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_86%2Cf_auto\/2a5dad066b3585f3518dd95a8ed9b0ed6e608d4a, https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.3396%2C$multiply_0.5685%2C$ratio_1.777778%2C$width_1059%2C$x_105%2C$y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_62%2Cf_auto\/2a5dad066b3585f3518dd95a8ed9b0ed6e608d4a 2x\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"US President Donald Trump says Iran is a nation of hate and terror.\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/%24zoom_0.3396,%24multiply_0.5127,%24ratio_1.777778,%24width_1059,%24x_105,%24y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_86,f_auto\/2a5dad066b3585f3518dd95a8ed9b0ed6e608d4a\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.3396%2C$multiply_0.5127%2C$ratio_1.777778%2C$width_1059%2C$x_105%2C$y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_86%2Cf_auto\/2a5dad066b3585f3518dd95a8ed9b0ed6e608d4a, https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.3396%2C$multiply_1.0255%2C$ratio_1.777778%2C$width_1059%2C$x_105%2C$y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_62%2Cf_auto\/2a5dad066b3585f3518dd95a8ed9b0ed6e608d4a 2x\" class=\"sc-d34e428-1 ioInpc\"><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p>White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said there had been no change to the US&rsquo;s overall sanctions policy. &ldquo;This was a decision that&rsquo;ll continue to be made on a case-by-case basis for humanitarian reasons or otherwise,&rdquo; she said.<\/p>\n<p>But the move represented a relaxation of the total US blockade on oil shipments to Cuba as Trump tries to pressure its communist government. &ldquo;Cuba will be next,&rdquo; he has said, suggesting a form of regime change.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"container\">\n<div class=\"sc-54c4a04e-0 yKpxh adWrapper noPrint sc-6f94ac39-3 fDyKLW\" data-testid=\"ad\"><small class=\"sc-54c4a04e-2 dhgkTF\">Advertisement<\/small><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"sc-c502198b-0 NkURW\" readability=\"28.641025641026\">\n<p>The US has also stressed its decision to lift sanctions on Russia is temporary and limited to oil already at sea. US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said the financial reward for Moscow would be limited, if not negligible.<\/p>\n<p>However on at least one occasion, Trump has suggested it might not be necessary to reimpose the sanctions because &ldquo;there&rsquo;ll be so much peace&rdquo;.<\/p>\n<p>At the start of the year, Putin&rsquo;s Russia was struggling to cope with the financial impost of the long war against Ukraine and a failing economy. It increased VAT (value-added tax, like the GST) to 22 per cent from 20 per cent, and was contemplating 10 per cent cuts to &ldquo;non-sensitive&rdquo; spending areas, according to a Reuters report.<\/p>\n<p>Now it has been thrown a lifeline. A study by the Kyiv School of Economics in Ukraine modelled scenarios depending on the length and outcome of the Iran war. In the &ldquo;central scenario&rdquo; &ndash; where the conflict lasts until late May and is followed by a fairly rapid return to normal in the Strait of Hormuz &ndash; Russian oil earnings would peak at $US28 billion to $US29 billion a month in April-May, and gas earnings at $US7 billion, before falling significantly.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"container\">\n<div class=\"sc-54c4a04e-0 yKpxh adWrapper noPrint sc-6f94ac39-3 fDyKLW\" data-testid=\"ad\"><small class=\"sc-54c4a04e-2 dhgkTF\">Advertisement<\/small><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"sc-c502198b-0 NkURW\" readability=\"26.996323529412\">\n<p>Overall, in such a scenario, Russia would receive up to $US136 billion in additional oil revenue and $US25 billion in extra gas revenue in 2026, the institute estimates. Even in an optimistic scenario where the war is shorter, the figures were still $US70 billion and $US15 billion.<\/p>\n<p>Gabuev told a Carnegie Endowment event in Washington on Monday: &ldquo;The champagne that&rsquo;s left [over in the Kremlin] since Donald Trump&rsquo;s inauguration &hellip; if some of it&rsquo;s not uncorked yet, it&rsquo;s being uncorked now because that&rsquo;s a major windfall.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>However, a temporary budget boon does not translate to a long-term advantage. The extra cash does not nearly make up for lost revenue from European Union sanctions on Russian oil, for example.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"sc-4820f69c-1 ZrhPA\"><button aria-label=\"enlarge image\" type=\"button\" class=\"sc-4820f69c-5 dyWwUw\">\n<div class=\"sc-d34e428-0 ikzfwY\"><picture><source media=\"(min-width: 1000px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.126%2C$multiply_0.9841%2C$ratio_1.5%2C$width_756%2C$x_0%2C$y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_86%2Cf_auto\/44808ffde0b507a8a45fe28893b37edfa20937e2, https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.126%2C$multiply_1.9683%2C$ratio_1.5%2C$width_756%2C$x_0%2C$y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_62%2Cf_auto\/44808ffde0b507a8a45fe28893b37edfa20937e2 2x\"><source media=\"(min-width: 750px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.126%2C$multiply_1.0159%2C$ratio_1.5%2C$width_756%2C$x_0%2C$y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_86%2Cf_auto\/44808ffde0b507a8a45fe28893b37edfa20937e2, https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.126%2C$multiply_2.0317%2C$ratio_1.5%2C$width_756%2C$x_0%2C$y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_62%2Cf_auto\/44808ffde0b507a8a45fe28893b37edfa20937e2 2x\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"US President Donald Trump, speaking on Air Force One, said he was happy for Russia to send a boat of oil to Cuba.\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/%24zoom_0.126,%24multiply_0.7725,%24ratio_1.5,%24width_756,%24x_0,%24y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_86,f_auto\/44808ffde0b507a8a45fe28893b37edfa20937e2\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.126%2C$multiply_0.7725%2C$ratio_1.5%2C$width_756%2C$x_0%2C$y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_86%2Cf_auto\/44808ffde0b507a8a45fe28893b37edfa20937e2, https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.126%2C$multiply_1.545%2C$ratio_1.5%2C$width_756%2C$x_0%2C$y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_62%2Cf_auto\/44808ffde0b507a8a45fe28893b37edfa20937e2 2x\" class=\"sc-d34e428-1 ldCIuB\"><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>\n<p><svg viewbox=\"0 0 38 38\" height=\"38px\" width=\"38px\" class=\"sc-4820f69c-4 iMiYlW\"><g stroke=\"#F4F5F7\" stroke-width=\"2\" fill=\"none\" fill-rule=\"evenodd\" stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\" transform=\"matrix(1, 0, 0, 1, 22.029383, 7.619553)\"><path d=\"M1 8l6.36396103-6.36396103M8 7V1H2\"><\/path><\/g><g stroke=\"#F4F5F7\" stroke-width=\"2\" fill=\"none\" fill-rule=\"evenodd\" stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\" transform=\"matrix(1, 0, 0, 1, 7.0731, 21.523087)\"><path d=\"M8 1L1.63603897 7.36396103M1 2v6h6\"><\/path><\/g><\/svg><\/p><\/button><figcaption data-testid=\"figure-caption\" class=\"sc-4820f69c-0 SuAZY\"><span>US President Donald Trump, speaking on Air Force One, said he was happy for Russia to send a boat of oil to Cuba.<\/span><cite class=\"sc-4820f69c-2 jfXEoI\"><span class=\"sc-4820f69c-3 jfhtQZ\">AP<\/span><\/cite><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Nor does it necessarily alter Putin&rsquo;s budgeting for the war against Ukraine. Vakulenko points out that Russian military expenditure was not going to be curtailed due to the budget crunch; rather, other government spending would take the hit.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"container\">\n<div class=\"sc-54c4a04e-0 yKpxh adWrapper noPrint sc-6f94ac39-3 fDyKLW\" data-testid=\"ad\"><small class=\"sc-54c4a04e-2 dhgkTF\">Advertisement<\/small><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"sc-c502198b-0 NkURW\" readability=\"27.797802197802\">\n<p>He brings up a common Soviet-era joke. The government announces it is raising the price of vodka, and a boy asks his drunkard father: &ldquo;Does this mean you&rsquo;re going to drink less?&rdquo; The father replies: &ldquo;No, son, this means you&rsquo;re going to eat less.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>Other analysts argue that the bigger picture of the US-Israeli war on Iran is bad for Russia and Putin. Sergey Radchenko, a professor in global affairs at Johns Hopkins University, argues that US assertiveness in the Middle East &ndash; and elsewhere &ndash; has revealed Russia&rsquo;s &ldquo;weakness and growing irrelevance&rdquo;.<\/p>\n<aside data-testid=\"related-story\" class=\"sc-4dc7bff5-0 EmFFd\">\n<h2 data-testid=\"related-story-heading\" class=\"sc-4dc7bff5-1 ePqZbx\">Related Article<\/h2>\n<div class=\"sc-679b6ed4-0 VKgwt\" data-an-position=\"1\" imagepositions=\"top\" data-testid=\"story-tile\">\n<figure imagesizes=\"[object Object]\" class=\"sc-8825a2fb-0 kZkxVd\">\n<div class=\"sc-d34e428-0 ikzfwY\"><picture><source media=\"(min-width: 1000px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.1765%2C$multiply_0.2805%2C$ratio_1.777778%2C$width_1059%2C$x_0%2C$y_22\/t_crop_custom\/q_86%2Cf_auto\/73fa3dc39c83f0d591c77aa3524b21ad1f534ec6, https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.1765%2C$multiply_0.5609%2C$ratio_1.777778%2C$width_1059%2C$x_0%2C$y_22\/t_crop_custom\/q_62%2Cf_auto\/73fa3dc39c83f0d591c77aa3524b21ad1f534ec6 2x\"><source media=\"(min-width: 750px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.1765%2C$multiply_0.2842%2C$ratio_1.777778%2C$width_1059%2C$x_0%2C$y_22\/t_crop_custom\/q_86%2Cf_auto\/73fa3dc39c83f0d591c77aa3524b21ad1f534ec6, https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.1765%2C$multiply_0.5685%2C$ratio_1.777778%2C$width_1059%2C$x_0%2C$y_22\/t_crop_custom\/q_62%2Cf_auto\/73fa3dc39c83f0d591c77aa3524b21ad1f534ec6 2x\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Donald Trump at the White House on Sunday night, Washington time.\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/%24zoom_0.1765,%24multiply_0.5127,%24ratio_1.777778,%24width_1059,%24x_0,%24y_22\/t_crop_custom\/q_86,f_auto\/73fa3dc39c83f0d591c77aa3524b21ad1f534ec6\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.1765%2C$multiply_0.5127%2C$ratio_1.777778%2C$width_1059%2C$x_0%2C$y_22\/t_crop_custom\/q_86%2Cf_auto\/73fa3dc39c83f0d591c77aa3524b21ad1f534ec6, https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.1765%2C$multiply_1.0255%2C$ratio_1.777778%2C$width_1059%2C$x_0%2C$y_22\/t_crop_custom\/q_62%2Cf_auto\/73fa3dc39c83f0d591c77aa3524b21ad1f534ec6 2x\" class=\"sc-d34e428-1 ioInpc\"><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p>Writing for <em>Foreign Policy<\/em> magazine, he says that rather than providing any material assistance to its notional allies Iran, Venezuela and Cuba, Moscow has been reduced to the role of onlooker.<\/p>\n<p>And if the US ultimately strikes a deal with Iran, &ldquo;its standing in the Middle East would soar, while Russia and China would have been exposed as paper tigers that are much better at talking about a new world order than putting their ambitious visions into practice&rdquo;.<\/p>\n<p><strong><i>Get a note directly from our foreign correspondents on what&rsquo;s making headlines around the world.<\/i> <i>Sign up for our weekly What in the World newsletter<\/i><i>.<\/i><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div data-testid=\"article-footer\" class=\"sc-780f6c39-0 fWnQtB\">\n<div class=\"sc-780f6c39-1 bhFzjY noPrint\">\n<div class=\"sc-780f6c39-2 ksUUFP\">\n<div class=\"sc-f9e3ccff-0 kbEYga sc-780f6c39-3 fMMhlQ\" readability=\"6.3137254901961\"><button aria-checked=\"false\" aria-label=\"Save article to read later\" role=\"switch\" type=\"button\" class=\"sc-f9e3ccff-1 kmQlMe\"><svg fill=\"none\" height=\"24\" stroke=\"currentColor\" stroke-width=\"1.5\" viewbox=\"0 0 24 24\" width=\"24\" class=\"sc-d1b14060-0 TUyao\"><path d=\"M5.75 4C5.75 3.86193 5.86193 3.75 6 3.75H18C18.1381 3.75 18.25 3.86193 18.25 4L18.25 19.7709L12.8004 16.9682C12.2981 16.7099 11.7019 16.7099 11.1996 16.9682L5.75 19.7709L5.75 4Z\"><\/path><\/svg><span class=\"sc-f9e3ccff-2 gaKrMl\">Save<\/span><\/button>\n<div aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"sc-ba6ddcd9-0 yEdFV sc-d1b14060-3 cpmcTK\" role=\"tooltip\" readability=\"8.0816326530612\">\n<p class=\"sc-d1b14060-4 JmUoF\">You have reached your maximum number of saved items.<\/p>\n<p>Remove items from your saved list to add more.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"sc-b5b9fd03-0 ksyHqK\">\n<div class=\"sc-b5b9fd03-1 LVIFj\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Michael Koziol\" data-testid=\"author-avatar-image\" height=\"40\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/w_40,h_40,c_fill,g_auto:faces\/q_86,f_auto\/369958dc66697d0627416b0b8924e301553f0262\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/w_40,h_40,c_fill,g_auto:faces\/q_86,f_auto\/369958dc66697d0627416b0b8924e301553f0262, https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/w_80%2Ch_80%2Cc_fill%2Cg_auto:faces\/q_86%2Cf_auto\/369958dc66697d0627416b0b8924e301553f0262 2x\" width=\"40\" class=\"sc-9a01536c-0 libeSR\"><span data-testid=\"author-bio\" class=\"sc-b5b9fd03-3 cVMGnz\"><span>Michael Koziol is the North America correspondent for The Age and Sydney Morning Herald. He is a former Sydney editor, Sun-Herald deputy editor and a federal political reporter in Canberra.<\/span><span class=\"sc-b5b9fd03-4 gMBkSk\">Connect via X<span> or <\/span>email.<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<section class=\"sc-3dbe4134-0 iIZygf sc-df8e6ee0-0 noPrint\" data-an-name=\"From our partners\" data-an-cu-group=\"everything\" data-an-cu-name=\"From our partners\" data-an-cu-position=\"4\" data-testid=\"from-our-partners-strap\">\n<header class=\"sc-84567ec1-0 hpMljf\">\n<h2 data-pb-type=\"hi\" class=\"sc-84567ec1-1 weWOF\"><span>From our partners<\/span><\/h2>\n<\/header>\n<div class=\"sc-df8e6ee0-1 iJvgCK\">\n<div class=\"container\">\n<div class=\"sc-54c4a04e-0 blRVQF adWrapper noPrint sc-df8e6ee0-2 gcpFZE\" data-testid=\"ad\"><small class=\"sc-54c4a04e-2 dhgkTF\">Advertisement<\/small><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"container\">\n<div class=\"sc-54c4a04e-0 blRVQF adWrapper noPrint sc-df8e6ee0-3 fIPZKC\" data-testid=\"ad\"><small class=\"sc-54c4a04e-2 dhgkTF\">Advertisement<\/small><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<p><sub>&lsquo;Pocketing billions&rsquo;: How the Iran war has thrown Putin an oily lifeline<\/sub><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Advertisement March 31, 2026 &mdash; 3:44pm Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Save this article for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime. Got it News :&lt;div&gt;12 weeks&#8217; jail for school IT support technician who took&#8230;<\/p>\n<p class=\"more-link-wrap\"><a href=\"https:\/\/jobuzo.com\/en\/pocketing-billions-how-the-iran-war-has-thrown-putin-an-oily-lifeline\/\" class=\"more-link\">Read More<span class=\"screen-reader-text\"> &ldquo;\u2018Pocketing billions\u2019: How the Iran war has thrown Putin an oily lifeline&rdquo;<\/span> &raquo;<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":18234,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-18233","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/jobuzo.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/18233","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/jobuzo.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/jobuzo.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/jobuzo.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/jobuzo.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=18233"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/jobuzo.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/18233\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/jobuzo.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/18234"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/jobuzo.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=18233"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/jobuzo.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=18233"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/jobuzo.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=18233"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}