Iranian regime collapse would be serious blow for Russia

While some in Moscow have tried to put positive spin on Israel's assault, Kremlin risks losing key strategic partner

When a group of Russian and Iranian foreign policy officials arranged to meet in Moscow for a conference titled Russian-Iranian cooperation in a changing world", they probably did not anticipate just how timely that phrase would turn out to be.

Seated around a table on Wednesday at the President hotel near the Kremlin, officials from both sides were forced to confront a stark new reality: Iran's regime - a key ally of Moscow - is facing its most serious threat in decades.