The assessment follows a June 14 phone call between Putin and U.S. President Donald Trump, during which both leaders reportedly focused primarily on the Middle East. According to Trump and Kremlin aide Yury Ushakov,

Iran conflict could open opportunities for Russia to possibly become a power broker to help end the confrontation.

Analysts from the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) have noted that Russian leader Vladimir Putin is likely trying to divert attention from Russia's war against Ukraine by offering to mediate in the Middle East conflict.

By Ben Aris in Berlin With its long-standing good relations with both Tel Aviv and Tehran, the outbreak of war in the Middle East has put Moscow in a delicate position, but it has also been presented it with the opportunity to act as peacemaker and weaken the West’s support for Ukraine in the process.