Tehran's air defences lie in ruins after Operation Rising Lion - and Moscow's inaction signals a strategic rift

Russia has maintained a delicate balancing act in the Middle East for decades, trying to navigate its warm relations with Israel even as it has developed strong economic and military ties with Iran.

Former Vice President Mike Pence said on “State of the Union” Sunday that if Israel’s attack doesn’t somehow convince Iran to make major concessions in Trump’s diplomatic attempt to end its nuclear program, then the United States should be prepared to join the conflict.

Discussing the conflict between Israel and Iran, the former vice president said Trump "ought to be looking elsewhere than Vladimir Putin for advice."

The Israeli precision strikes on Iran, especially attacks that decapitated key Iranian military strike corps early into the current military engagement, has similarities to Ukraine’s drone strike against the Russian air bases earlier this month.

With Moscow’s back to the wall in Ukraine, Tehran may soon see that its new ‘strategic partnership’ with the Kremlin is not much help.

As part of a 20-year cooperation pact, Iran is supplying Russia with drones and ballistic missiles in exchange for military and nuclear support, with Caspian oil revenues helping finance these exchanges.

KANANASKIS, Alberta (Reuters) -More pressure must be exerted on Russia to secure a ceasefire in Ukraine urging the G7 nations to ramp up sanctions to achieve that goal, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said on Sunday.

A sharp rise in global oil prices following Israeli strikes on Iran will benefit Russia and bolster its military capabilities in the war in Ukraine, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelen