Iran and Saudi Arabia’s recent normalization efforts and the potential resulting regional de-escalation could benefit Russia and its interests. The rapprochement framework signed by Riyadh and Tehran, following five days of talks in Beijing in March, should give Moscow more space to pursue its political and economic plans. This is vital as it comes at a time when Russia is increasingly reliant on the Gulf amid western pressure over its war in Ukraine. But the agreement has also highlighted China’s threat to Russia as an alternative, non-western diplomatic power in the region.

From Russia’s perspective, the Iranian-Saudi deal is a boost for Moscow, which previously balanced economic and military cooperation with the Islamic Republic with a growing relationship with the Kingdom, including Saudi investments in Russia. Ongoing rivalry between Iran and Saudi Arabia hampered Russia’s approach of attempting to maintain effective working relations with...