World powers are streaming naval and air assets into the eastern Mediterranean, deepening concerns that the Syrian conflict may further destabilize the Middle East and expand to impact nations from outside the region. The U.S. and Russia, which many have suggested are on a geopolitical collision course for a variety of reasons, are both deploying warships into the theater.

The U.S. this afternoon announced that a fifth destroyer, the USS Stout, would join ships that were already repositioning toward in anticipation of possible strikes against regime infrastructure. The U.K. confirmed deploying of six Typhoon fighter jets to Cyprus. State-owned Russian media reported that that Moscow has sent a missile cruiser and a large anti-submarine vessel to the eastern Mediterranean Sea.

As world powers begin to mobilize in the Mediterranean, reports are emerging that Russia and Iran would engage in “extensive cooperation” to thwart Western action against Syria:

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said his country will press forward with efforts to ward off military action by the U.S. and its allies against the Tehran-backed regime of Syrian President Bashar Assad, Iranian state TV reported on Thursday.

The report said the remarks came late Wednesday during a phone conversation between Rouhani and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin.

Washington this week dismissed as a stalling tactic a request by Syria to extend chemical weapons inspections in the country.

[Photo: Elsie esq. / Flickr]