Russia has escalated tensions in the Middle East by urging Iran to avoid civilian harm as it considers its actions in response to Israel’s suspected killing of a Hamas leader, instead of directly urging Iran to de-escalate.
“Putin’s desire to limit Israeli civilian casualties stems from a practical standpoint,” stated Rebekah Koffler, a strategic military intelligence expert and the author of “Putin’s Playbook,” in an interview with Fox News Digital.
“With 1.2 million Russian and former Soviet émigrés currently residing in Israel, Putin has an interest in a significant number of compatriots who possess ties to families in Russia and whom he would like to see return to their homeland,” Koffler clarified.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has contacted Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei to advocate for a restrained reaction against Israel, which Tehran claims is responsible for the death of Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran.
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Iranian officials have vowed to retaliate, informing Arab diplomats on Saturday that the potential for war does not deter them, according to The Wall Street Journal.
Russian President Vladimir Putin meets with Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi in Tehran, July 19, 2022. (President Website/West Asia News Agency/Handout via Reuters)
The U.S. has advised allied nations in Europe and beyond to communicate to Iran the importance of avoiding any escalation, emphasizing that a significant military action would provoke a response, and that new Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian’s attempts to mend ties with the West would be more favorably received if Iran exercises caution, according to the reports.
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In contrast, Putin has merely requested that Iran respond in a measured manner, as reported by Reuters. Russian Security Council Secretary Sergei Shoigu conveyed this message during a meeting with key Iranian officials on Monday.
Ismail Haniyeh speaks during a press conference in Tehran, Iran, on March 26, 2024. (Majid Asgaripour/West Asia News Agency/Reuters)
Additionally, Iran requested that Russia deliver Sukhoi Su-35 fighter jets during their meeting, sources familiar with the discussions told Reuters. They didn’t provide additional details but emphasized that Russia had advised restraint, acknowledging the killing as a “very dangerous act.”
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The sentiment in Iran is mixed, as officials are inclined to seek revenge for the audacious killing of the Hamas leader within their territory while remaining apprehensive about the prospect of a wider regional conflict that has lingered on the edge for months.
Iranians burn a representation of the Israeli flag during the funeral ceremony for Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh on Aug. 1, 2024, in Tehran. (Majid Saeedi/Getty Images)
Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi made his first official visit to Tehran since 2005, yet his impact was limited – even after asserting that Jordan will not permit Iranian missiles to traverse its airspace, as reported by The Jerusalem Post.
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The Guardian noted that Iran feels a compelling need to retaliate against Israel for Haniyeh’s assassination, having even convened a meeting of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) on Wednesday to advocate for their right to seek retribution.
U.S. State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller stated on Monday that Washington has urged countries to convey to Iran that “it is not in their interest to execute another attack on Israel.”
Fox News Digital’s Landon Mion contributed to this report.
