## 2024-08-10 02:42:16
Russian President Vladimir Putin has urged Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei to exercise restraint and avoid harming Israeli civilians in response to the assassination of Hamas terrorist leader Ismail Haniyeh.
Reuters reported this development.
According to two senior Iranian sources, Putin conveyed this message through Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu, who delivered the Kremlin’s request for moderation during meetings with senior Iranian officials.
During Shoigu’s visit, the potential supply of Su-35 fighter jets to Iran was also discussed.
Neither the Kremlin nor Russian state news agency RIA have officially commented on the matter.
Iran, grappling with its response, emphasized the need to punish Israel to prevent further regional instability. While Western and regional powers attempt to de-escalate tensions, Tehran has hinted at a strong response. Sources suggest the Middle East is on the precipice of a major conflict, with those responsible for Haniyeh’s assassination clearly aiming to provoke such a confrontation.
The Biden administration in Washington has expressed concern about the heightened risk of a regional conflict, emphasizing the scale of Iran and Hezbollah’s potential response will be crucial in determining the future trajectory.
Independent Iranian sources have confirmed Iran’s intention to respond harshly to Haniyeh’s assassination, which occurred during President Masoud Pezeshkian’s inauguration in Tehran.
In Lebanon, a source close to Hezbollah confirmed retaliation was imminent and diplomacy had become irrelevant. The source suggested Iran was seeking a forceful response that would not trigger a wider regional war, but ruled out a conflict between Iran-backed Hezbollah and Israel entirely.
Earlier reports suggested another Iranian target had been identified, though the location of the potential attack remains unknown.
The media has reported that the attack may not take place within Israeli borders, but rather in a foreign location.