俄罗斯与伊朗通过里海建立了一条战略补给走廊，用以运送军事物资并规避美国海上封锁[1]。这条陆地内海运线已成为俄伊军事伙伴关系的骨干，双方依靠它来维持各自的战争努力[1]。美国面临地理上的困境，无法通过海权力量有效阻止这一运输[1]。
自2021年底以来，俄罗斯向伊朗提供的军事援助超过40亿美元，包括Shahed无人机[1]。伊朗则向俄罗斯提供27亿美元的军事支持，包括数百枚Fath-360短程弹道导弹和200枚防空导弹[1]。伊朗在Alabuga特殊经济区的设施年产能可达6000架无人机[1]，但在战争中已损失60%的无人机库存[1]。
以色列首次在里海地区使用空军力量，空袭班达尔安扎利伊朗里海海军基地[1]。7月底，乌克兰用无人机击中一艘伊朗商船，造成1名水手丧生[1]。特朗普政府面临是否在这条走廊成为俄伊合作永久枢纽前予以制止的抉择[1]。
Russia has established a covert strategic supply route across the Caspian Sea to deliver military equipment to Iran while circumventing American maritime blockades.[1] This corridor, serving as the backbone of the Russia-Iran military partnership, enables both nations to sustain their respective war efforts through overland and inland waterway transport, a geographic advantage that limits the effectiveness of U.S. naval power projection.[1]
The military cooperation between Moscow and Tehran has grown substantially, with Russian military aid to Iran exceeding $4 billion since late 2021, including Shahed unmanned aerial vehicles.[1] In return, Iran has provided approximately $2.7 billion in military assistance to Russia, comprising hundreds of Fath-360 short-range ballistic missiles and 200 air defense missiles.[1] Iran's capacity to produce such weapons systems is significant—the Alabuga special economic zone can manufacture up to 6,000 drones annually.[1] However, the intensity of current operations has taken a toll, with Iran losing 60 percent of its drone inventory during the war.[1]
Recent military incidents highlight the strategic importance of this route. Israel conducted an airstrike on Bandar Anzali, Iran's Caspian naval base, marking the first use of Israeli air force operations in the Caspian region.[1] In late July, Ukraine struck an Iranian commercial vessel in the same waters with a drone, resulting in the death of one sailor.[1] The Trump administration now faces the decision of whether to disrupt this supply corridor before it becomes a permanent hub of Russia-Iran cooperation.[1]