The prospect of another ally falling in the Middle East will be a worrying one for Moscow, particularly after it has seen other alliances collapse recently.

The two Middle Eastern countries exchanged messages through a Russian intermediary saying they would not preemptively attack each other.

As protests rock Iran and Washington keeps up pressure, Tehran’s powerful partners appear willing to offer words, trade and limited assistance, but not the kind of military backing that could draw them into a wider war.

This came on the same day that Trump wrote in a post on Truth Social: "Effective immediately, any Country doing business with the Islamic Republic of Iran will pay a Tariff of 25% on any and all business being done with the United States of America. This Order is final and conclusive.”

LIVE: Join us as we break down rising tensions between Russia, the U.S., and Iran, exploring Kremlin warnings, American military threats, and what Putin is really saying. We’ll discuss whether these developments could spark a wider superpower conflict,

As mass protests engulf Iran, Tehran appears increasingly isolated, with Russia and China offering only limited support while US President Donald Trump signals that military options remain on the table.

According to the officials quoted by the Washington Post,  while “Iranian officials responded positively to the Israeli outreach, they were wary of Israel’s intentions.”

Is Putin sending Oreshniks to Iran? The speculation comes amid recent reports of a surge in Russian military cargo flights to Iran, with multiple Ilyushin Il-76 (and possibly other heavy transport aircraft) landing in Tehran amid the ongoing nationwide protests that began in late December 2025.

Iran said it sent three satellites into orbit from Russia on Sunday, a move that may intensify tensions over Tehran’s broader actions.

State Department halts visa processing for 75 countries including Somalia, Russia, and Iran to crack down on applicants likely to become public charges.