Iran is a strategic partner to Russia, but Moscow isn't rushing to Tehran's aid in the face of Israeli strikes.

Israel is reluctant to accept Russia's mediation in its war with Iran, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said on June 17, according to the Russian state news agency TASS. "At the moment, we see reluctance — at least on Israel’s part — to resort to mediation or pursue a peaceful resolution,

By Gleb Bryanski MOSCOW (Reuters) -Rising tensions in the Middle East will accelerate natural gas negotiations between Russia and China, with a decision likely this year, the head of a think-tank that advises the Russian government on China told Reuters.

The scope of American involvement in the conflict remains unclear, but appears to have diverted Trump's attention as negotiations with the Russians to end the Ukraine War have largely failed.

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,

As an unprecedented Israeli attack on Iran last week sparks a spiraling conflict between the two enemy states, China has seen an opportunity to cast itself as potential peace broker – and an alternative voice to the United States.

Iran is finding itself in a difficult end game in its fight with Israel, with no calvary coming to support it. Israel now has control of the skies over Tehran, and public discussions on an attack

Russia and Israel have built a close political, economic and cultural relationship that helped them tackle delicate and divisive issues, including developments in Syria.

As President Trump weighs his next moves in the Israel-Iran conflict, former CENTCOM Commander Joseph Votel, who oversaw military operations across the Middle East in Donald Trump’s first term, tells CNN’s Becky Anderson there is “high confidence” that the U.