Israel may now be more willing to risk war with Iran after the barrage earlier this month targeted civilian areas in addition to military ones. The longstanding framework of deterrence appears to have collapsed, leaving each country in danger of misjudging the other’s response and overstepping at each turn.

Last year it was given full membership of the Shanghai Co-operation Organisation, a Eurasian security and economic club dominated by China and Russia. In January Iran was admitted to BRICS, another group that China and Russia are trying to nurture as a bastion of West-sceptics.

As tensions reach a fever pitch in the Middle East, the countdown to a potential all-out war between Israel and Iran has officially begun. Reports indicate that Israel is preparing to unleash devastating strikes targeting Iran’s nuclear facilities and military infrastructure,