The Iranian and Russian governments pegged an upcoming military exercise as an anti-pollution and search and rescue operation. However, the joint maneuver, involving 30 naval units from the two countries, is likely a show of strength and joint cooperation in order to warn countries intending on striking either nation.

Israel recently made its own overtures threatening Iran, such as the mobilization of ships through the Suez Canal. The recent military maneuvers, Israel and American insistence that Iran would not be permitted to obtain nuclear weapons, and Iran’s dismissal of the Obama Administration’s negotiation attempts may lead to an escalation of the conflict.

The inclusion of the Russians, particularly due to recent tensions between the U.S. and Russian government, could reignite a Cold-War-style influence battle in the Middle East. During the Cold War, both the United States and Russia sought to align themselves with different governments in order to have a foothold in the region and combat the spread of either capitalism or communism. Countries within the region often played the Untied States and Russia off of each other in order to obtain favorable terms in various negotiations. If Russia re-introduces itself in the region through ties with Iran, a renewed influence race is likely to erupt. Moreover, the weight of the nuclearized Russian military could complicate any attempts by Israel or the United States to strike Iranian nuclear facilities.