On the other are Russia and Iran, whose strategic partnership has deepened as the conflict has expanded. While front lines in Ukraine often remained relatively static for extended periods, Russia's broader geopolitical position faced mounting pressure elsewhere. As regards Tehran, if Russia has experienced growing pressure on its western flank, Iran increasingly finds itself under pressure from multiple directions. The 2026 war involving Iran, Israel and the United States fundamentally altered the regional balance of power. The second anticipated a descent into civil war, leading to the "Syrianization" of Iran through state fragmentation and internal conflict.