On June 19, as the preliminary results of Iran’s presidential elections indicated the victory of Ebrahim Raisi, Russian President Vladimir Putin sent a congratulatory message to the apparent Iranian president-elect. While stressing that “the relationship between Iran and Russia traditionally enjoys friendship and good neighborliness,” Putin expressed hope that “relations between the two countries would keep progressing towards mutual constructive cooperation.”

Aside from the content of the Russian president’s message, what stands out is its timing...