Russia Faces Middle East Rift Amid Israel-Iran Conflict

The recent escalation of conflict between Israel and Iran has placed Moscow in a complex position, balancing its long-standing strategic partnership with Tehran and cordial relations with Israel. While Russia condemned Israel's missile strikes on Iranian nuclear and military sites as unacceptable, its response has been largely rhetorical, reflecting Russia's own contentious global posture. Russian President Vladimir Putin has offered to mediate between the conflicting parties, a proposal supported by U.S. President Donald Trump but opposed by French President Emmanuel Macron, who doubts Russia's credibility as a mediator due to its ongoing conflict involvement and disregard for the UN Charter. Russian officials express concern that Israeli attacks might destabilize Iran's regime, potentially leading to a loss of a key regional ally and weakening Russia's influence in the Middle East, especially after previous losses in Syria and Libya. Moscow's potential mediator role could also serve to undermine Western support for Ukraine, as Russia relies on Iran for military resources in its invasion. Despite the risks, the Kremlin could gain from the hostilities by leveraging its relationships and positioning itself as a key player in any diplomatic resolution.