(MOSCOW) – Russian state television broadcast a panel discussion on Friday revealing the Kremlin strategy to capitalise on the current military conflict between the United States and Iran. During an episode of the programme 60 Minutes, State Duma deputy Alexey Zhuravlyov outlined how Moscow intends to use the Middle East crisis to its advantage while continuing its aggression against Ukraine.
Zhuravlyov claimed the United States spent 20 years in Afghanistan only to replace the Taliban with the Taliban, and asserted that Donald Trump has achieved a similar result in 10 days of war with Iran by replacing one supreme leader with an identical replacement. The deputy cast doubt on the effectiveness of the American administration, noting that Trump sought a peace prize but has instead initiated an unprecedented number of conflicts over the past century, including lightly bombing Ethiopia. Zhuravlyov described the American military operation, which Trump termed epic rage, as transitioning through psychological stages from epic denial to bargaining, depression and eventually epic acceptance.
According to the Russian official, Trump recently telephoned the Russian dictator Vladimir Putin. Zhuravlyov speculated this serious conversation covered both Ukraine and the Middle East, suggesting Trump is desperately seeking an exit strategy from the Iranian conflict. The deputy compared Russia to a bear sitting on a mountain watching tigers fight, while occasionally kicking a pig, a deeply derogatory reference to Ukraine, which he claimed Russia raised. Zhuravlyov stressed this geopolitical situation is highly beneficial for Moscow and must be fully exploited.
The discussion then turned to a recent strike on the Russian city of Bryansk using British Storm Shadow missiles. Zhuravlyov echoed statements from the Kremlin spokesperson, asserting that such strikes are impossible without targeting data from London and Washington. He warned that Russia could retaliate by providing satellite data to adversaries of the United States, including Iran. Zhuravlyov stated that American soldiers would die as a result and claimed that radar destruction has already increased the success rate of incoming drones from 10 percent to 25 percent, predicting this figure will soon reach 100 percent.
The broadcast also highlighted reports regarding American military struggles and internal Pentagon controversies. Reading from news agency reports, the presenters stated the Pentagon confirmed 140 American military personnel have been wounded during the 10 day war with Iran. Citing the New York Times, the programme noted that 17 American military bases and installations have been damaged by Iranian strikes, representing nearly half of all Washington facilities in the Middle East. American officials have reportedly admitted they did not anticipate such intense bombardment and that Iran was far better prepared for war than Trump expected.
Furthermore, the Russian programme detailed a spending scandal involving Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth. According to the broadcast, Hegseth engaged in unprecedented extravagance last September, spending 15 million US dollars (approximately 11.8 million British pounds) on elite steakhouses, 7 million US dollars (5.5 million British pounds) on lobster tails, and 2 million US dollars (1.5 million British pounds) on king crabs. An additional 6 billion US dollars (4.7 billion British pounds) was reportedly spent on premium Apple technology.
The leadership also allegedly purchased a piano for the United States Air Force Chief of Staff for 100,000 US dollars (78,000 British pounds) and a carved Japanese flute for Hegseth himself for 21,000 US dollars (16,000 British pounds). The hosts claimed the defence secretary wasted a total of 93 billion US dollars (73 billion British pounds), mostly within five days, contrasting this with the 6 billion US dollars (4.7 billion British pounds) cost of a single week of war with Iran. The programme noted that Hegseth, a former television presenter, began his tenure by renovating his dressing room, leaving Congress in shock.
Energy analyst Igor Yushkov then discussed the global oil market, asserting that the Middle East is currently witnessing complete chaos driven by Israel and the United States, contrasted with perfectly calculated tactics from Iran. Yushkov claimed Iran spent the first seven days systematically degrading the defensive capabilities of the United Arab Emirates, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Israel.
Addressing claims by Trump that oil prices will drop once the war ends, Yushkov argued the American leader is bluffing to protect his electoral prospects. The analyst noted that the strategic strait has been mined and effectively closed, while Qatar has halted production, keeping prices high. Yushkov concluded that an extended period of high oil prices, ideally around 100 US dollars (78 British pounds) per barrel, is perfect for Russia as it will allow the Kremlin to compensate for previous revenue shortfalls and reduce its budget deficit.
Russian state TV show “60 Minutes,” featuring host Olga Skabeeva, First Deputy Chairman of the State Duma Defense Committee Alexey Zhuravlyov, orientalist Tural Kerimov, and leading analyst of the National Energy Security Fund, expert of the Financial University under the Government of the Russian Federation Igor Yushkov.
