Not just the Russia-Iran bonhomie, but the West is also concerned over growing ties between Russia and North Korea amid the ongoing tensions in the Middle East. Iran and North Korea have a history of working together to advance their military arsenals. Reports suggested that Tehran assisted Pyongyang in its bid to develop booster rockets. A visit by a North Korean delegation to Tehran in April also raised concerns in the West. With Russia firmly behind Iran, the emergence of another new bloc is worrying the West.