Exclusive: Russia Warns Iran Against Targeting Israel

An Iranian diplomat has revealed that Russia has issued a strong warning to Iran regarding potential military actions against Israel.

"Russia strongly and officially condemns any military action by Iran and its allies against Israel that leads to the deaths of civilians in Israel," the diplomat told IranWire.

The diplomat emphasized the presence of hundreds of thousands of Russian citizens living and working in Israel, noting, "If civilians in Israel are endangered, Russian citizens who live in that country may also be harmed."

According to the source, Russia has also communicated its efforts to use its influence in Israel to halt any operations against Iran, viewing such actions as violations of international law.

The revelation comes in the wake of a high-level Russian delegation visit to Tehran on August 5, led by Sergei Shoigu, Secretary of the Russian National Security Council and a close associate of President Vladimir Putin.

The delegation reportedly conveyed Russia's message to top Iranian officials, including President Masoud Pezeshkian.

He was invited to Iran by Ali Akbar Ahmadian, Supreme Leader Khamenei's representative and Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council.

The diplomat also disclosed that Vladimir Putin's message to Iranian authorities addressed the issue of Israeli hostages, with Russia urging Iran to leverage its influence on Hamas for their release.

Shoigu, who recently transitioned from defense minister to secretary of Russia's security council, met with high-ranking Iranian officials in Tehran on Monday.

During these discussions, Iran also reportedly pressed Moscow for the delivery of Russian-made Sukhoi Su-35 fighter jets.

Reuters reported earlier that sources familiar with the talks indicated that Shoigu's visit was part of a broader Russian effort to encourage Iranian restraint while simultaneously condemning Haniyeh's assassination as "a very dangerous" act.

Moscow's aim appears to be preventing the outbreak of a wider Middle East conflict.

This diplomatic intervention occurs against a backdrop of escalating tensions between Iran and Israel.

The assassination of Ismail Haniyeh, head of Hamas's political office, in an attack attributed to Israel last week has further inflamed the situation.

Iranian officials, including Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, have since made repeated threats of "severe punishments" against Israel.

The region has witnessed a series of retaliatory actions, including Iran's direct drone and missile attacks on Israel on April 13, in response to an earlier Israeli airstrike on the Iranian Consulate in Damascus.