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.

Following the latest missile attack against Israel, Iran has raised its rhetoric, warning of painful counterattacks if the conflict escalates. In a televised speech on October 1, Commander Hossein Salami declared that Iran is prepared to strike back if Israel takes any military action in response to the attack.