Russian President Vladimir Putin engaged in discussions with the leaders of Israel and Iran on Friday, as reported by the Kremlin, with an aim to mediate amidst escalating tensions and large-scale protests occurring in Iran. The protests have become a significant point of concern, given fears of a possible military confrontation in the region.
Independent monitoring groups have indicated that the Iranian security forces’ response to the nationwide protests has been severe, with reports of thousands killed in the crackdown. This heavy-handed reaction has led to threats of military action from the United States, a crucial ally of Israel.
In a recent conflict, Iran and Israel experienced a brief but intense war in June, characterized by unprecedented Israeli assaults on Iranian military and nuclear facilities, during which the United States participated by targeting major Iranian nuclear sites.
On Friday, Russian officials announced that President Putin had spoken with both Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian in a bid to reduce tensions between the two nations. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov emphasized, “The situation in the region is highly tense, and the president continues his efforts to facilitate de-escalation.”
Moscow maintains a close alliance with Iran while also seeking to foster positive relations with Israel. However, these ties have faced strain due to Russia’s criticisms regarding Israel’s military actions in Gaza since October 7, 2023.
During his conversation with Netanyahu, the Kremlin conveyed Russia’s willingness to continue its mediation efforts, although it did not elaborate on the specifics of current initiatives or comment on the ongoing protests within Iran.
Previously, Moscow had also offered mediation during the June conflict. Peskov indicated that the outcomes of the conversation with the Iranian President would be shared “very soon.”
In a separate statement, Netanyahu expressed hope that Iran would eventually break free from what he referred to as the “yoke of tyranny” amid the ongoing protests. Nonetheless, in recent days, participation in the rallies appears to have waned, likely due to the intense repression and an internet blackout that has lasted over a week.
Iran has consistently accused the United States and Israel of fomenting unrest to disrupt the unity of the Islamic Republic. Meanwhile, a senior Saudi official revealed that Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Oman have been active in efforts to dissuade former US President Donald Trump from launching an attack on Iran amid the crackdown, citing concerns over potential severe repercussions across the region.
