Putin and Iran 'need each other desperately,' expert says, as Russia voices support for regime

The relationship between Iran and Russia is growing as both sides "need each other desperately," an expert told Fox News Digital on Wednesday after Russian President Vladimir Putin voiced support for the regime in Tehran.

Putin was photographed shaking hands Tuesday with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian during a meeting on the sidelines on the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Summit in Kyrgyzstan, where he said, "Russia is standing in full solidarity with the people of Iran," according to a readout by the Kremlin.

"We admire your courage and resilience in your fight for your national interests," Putin added.

"Please convey my regards and words of sincere support to Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic Mojtaba Hosseini Khamenei." U.S.

Air Force retired Gen.

Philip Breedlove, a former NATO commander, told Fox News Digital that "this relationship between Iran and Russia is growing" and "they both need each other desperately." "In the grand scheme of things, they are both 'broke.' I'm using others language here, but the bottom line is they are hurting economically," he said.

"They need each other's help.

Russia desperately needs Iran to produce missiles for them because of Ukraine's attack on Russia's ability to build missiles.

And Iran desperately needs Russian targeting and intelligence to continue to attack Americans in the Middle East." RUSSIA'S LAVROV SAYS IRAN HAS 'INALIENABLE' RIGHT TO ENRICH URANIUM, OPENLY DEFYING TRUMP'S DEMANDS "Russia is transferring capability, transferring, in larger terms, technologies that enable Iran, and frankly, they're sort of helping to prop up the religious leaders of Iran," Breedlove added.

Jason Brodsky, the policy director of United Against Nuclear Iran (UANI) , told Fox News Digital that "Iran and Russia have had a long-time partnership that is strategically important for both countries." "Russia views Iran as a cudgel to use against America, and Iran has in recent years especially viewed Russia as a lifeline with respect to advancing its military, providing economic support, providing political support, most importantly at the U.N.

Security Council as Russia is a permanent member.

So that's how the partnership serves both countries' interests," he said.

Breedlove also said the U.S. war with Iran has now "turned into almost more a test of will than it is a military test." Both the U.S. military and Iran have been trading aerial strikes in recent days.

"The U.S. has established basically air and sea dominance, but because of the U.S.' decision early in the war that they were not going to put boots on the ground, Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps knows that they're going to survive.