MOSCOW. Russian President Vladimir Putin has requested Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei to adopt a restrained approach in their response to Israel’s alleged killing of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh. According to two senior Iranian sources, Putin has advised against targeting Israeli civilians in any retaliation.
The message was conveyed by Sergei Shoigu, a high-ranking ally of Putin, during meetings with top Iranian officials on Monday. Shoigu, who has recently transitioned from Russia’s Defense Minister to the Secretary of the Security Council, emphasized the need for restraint while condemning Haniyeh’s assassination as a “very dangerous act” that could potentially trigger broader conflict in the Middle East.
Iran, which has been considering its response to the killing, also requested the delivery of Russian-made Sukhoi Su-35 fighter jets, according to the sources familiar with the Tehran discussions.
The Kremlin has yet to comment on the specifics of Shoigu’s visit. However, the state-run RIA news agency reported that Shoigu addressed Haniyeh’s killing during his trip to Tehran. Shoigu’s visit is part of Russia’s broader diplomatic efforts to manage tensions and prevent a potential regional war.
The Middle East is on edge, with recent events escalating fears of a major conflict. Russian sources indicated that the assassination was clearly aimed at provoking such a conflict, heightening the urgency for diplomatic measures.
Iran’s Foreign Ministry did not immediately respond to requests for comment but has previously stated that while Tehran does not wish to escalate regional tensions, it feels compelled to respond to prevent further instability.
Diplomatic Efforts and Regional Reactions
In Washington, a Biden administration official expressed concerns about the risks of a significant regional conflict, noting that the scale of Iran’s and Hezbollah’s responses would be crucial in determining the potential for escalation. Despite international efforts to encourage a measured response from Iran, Tehran has signaled that it will respond “severely” to the killing of Haniyeh.
In Lebanon, a source close to Hezbollah confirmed that a retaliatory strike is anticipated and that “diplomacy is no longer a viable option.” This source noted that while Iran desires a severe response, it aims to avoid a full-scale regional war, although the possibility of conflict between Hezbollah and Israel remains.
A senior U.S. official focused on the Middle East emphasized that Washington is actively working to prevent irreparable escalation and urged other regional and European states to increase their efforts. Qatar is reportedly engaged in ongoing discussions with Iran to de-escalate tensions.
In response to potential threats, Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant has warned that Israel must be ready for any scenario, including a rapid shift to offensive measures. The Israeli response to any attacks will likely be influenced more by the damage inflicted rather than the scale of the attack.
Israeli officials have not confirmed responsibility for Haniyeh’s killing. Iran supports Hamas, which is engaged in conflict with Israel, and also backs Hezbollah, with whom Israel has had ongoing exchanges of fire since the Gaza conflict began on October 7.
Si Venus L Peñaflor ay naging editor-in-chief ng Newsworld, isang lokal na pahayagan ng Laguna. Publisher din siya ng Daystar Gazette at Tutubi News Magazine. Siya ay isa ring pintor at doll face designer ng Ninay Dolls, ang unang Manikang Pilipino. Kasali siya sa DesignCrowd sa rank na #305 sa 640,000 graphic designers sa buong daigdig. Kasama din siya sa unang Local TV Broadcast sa Laguna na Beyond Manila. Aktibong kasapi siya ng San Pablo Jaycees Senate bilang isang JCI Senator.
