LAVROV BACKS TEHRAN , BUT DOES RUSSIA ALSO GAIN FROM THE US - IRAN CRISIS ?

What happened: Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov pledged Moscow's support for Iran during a Monday meeting in Tehran with counterpart Abbas Araghchi and President Masoud Pezeshkian. Key numbers: Brent crude rose from around $72 a barrel to as high as $120 in March and April, and traded above $109 on Tuesday. Why it matters: Analysts say Russia benefits from higher oil prices and eased US sanctions, giving Moscow reason to see the stand-off continue, though one analyst said it likely does not want escalation.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov pledged Moscow's support for Iran during a Monday meeting in Tehran with counterpart Abbas Araghchi and President Masoud Pezeshkian.

Analysts say Russia benefits from higher oil prices and eased US sanctions, giving Moscow reason to see the stand-off continue, though one analyst said it likely does not want escalation.