Ties are tightening

Russia and Iran: the new power games in the Middle East

Iran is proud of its missile arsenal, but its air force is in a desolate state. In contrast to Israel's.(Bild: AFP)

Russia has long tried to stay out of the Middle East conflict zone. However, its close ties with Iran have drawn Moscow deep into the region's crises.

The Middle East is currently experiencing a level of conflict not seen for decades. The escalation spiral that began with the terrorist attacks by the Islamist Hamas against Israel on October 7, 2023, with 1,200 Israelis murdered and over 200 hostages taken hostage, has now been going on for almost a year and increasingly seems less like an exception than a new phase in the history of the region.