Israel was exploiting its advantage, saying it had taken out dozens of surface-to-air missiles in western Iran and killed the intelligence chief of the Islamic Revoluti

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.

All night people in Israel have been braced for more rockets. Just before 01:00 the Israeli military announced that it was striking missile sites in Iran, and instructed residents to move closer to shelters. Four hours later the response came – with what felt like the largest barrage so far of this conflict.

Russia’s diplomatic balancing act between Israel and Iran has been tested by recent tensions. As Israel’s strikes on Iranian targets escalate hostilities, Russia could emerge as a key mediator in the conflict,

Russia said on Friday Israeli strikes on Iran were unprovoked and in breach of the United Nations charter, and accused Israel of wrecking diplomatic efforts to reach a deal to allay Western concerns about Tehran's nuclear programme.

Israel's "preemptive" strikes against Iran targeting the country's nuclear program and killing top military officials could have far-reaching implications for Ukraine and could boost Russia's ability to continue its full-scale invasion,

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

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.

Chairman of the Iranian Parliament Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf on June 15 sent the approved Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Agreement with Russia to Iranian President Masoud Peseshkian.