Putin urges Iranian regime to avoid civilian casualties in expected attack on Israel

Secretary of Russia's Security Council Sergei Shoigu on Monday urged Iranian officials to temper their threatened attack on Israel and avoid civilian casualties. The message, conveyed on behalf of President Vladimir Putin, advised against targeting Israeli civilians, according to two senior Iranian sources who spoke with Reuters.

During his visit in Tehran on Monday, Shoigu met with newly-elected Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and pledged “full cooperation with Iran.” According to Iran’s Supreme National Security Council (SNSC) Shoigu’s visit reportedly sought to bolster political and security relations while addressing regional and international concerns.

Pezeshkian allegedly told Shoigu the Islamic regime wants to expand relations with Russia.

“Russia is among the countries that have stood by the Iranian nation during difficult times,” Pezeshkian told Shoigu, according to Iranian state media.

The Iranian president also said that cooperation between Iran and Russia “in promoting a multi-polar world will certainly lead to greater global security and peace.”

Iran and Russia have been strengthening cooperation in recent years, especially since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Most recently, the two countries strengthened their military and intelligence cooperation. In addition, Iran supplies Russia with Iranian made drones for use against Ukraine.

Russia “strongly condemned” the targeted killing of Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh, calling it a “very dangerous assassination.”

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov stated: "We believe that such actions are directed against attempts to establish peace in the region and can significantly destabilize an already tense situation."

The Islamic regime has said it will respond “severely” to Israel's assassination of Haniyeh in Tehran, as well as the targeted killing of Fuad Shukr, right-hand man and adviser to Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah.

A source close to Hezbollah said that an Iranian strike on Israel was “inevitable.”

In a weekend editorial, Iran’s state newspaper, Kayhan, warned that its forthcoming attack would target key areas deep inside Israel, including Tel Aviv, Haifa, strategic centers, and the homes of Israeli officials.

The editorial warned that this attack would be different than Iran's direct attack on Israel in April.

“The punishment of the Zionists this time will be more varied, integrated, and painful. Iran's attacks five months ago were carried out from only a few cities in Iran, and in a narrow funnel,” the editorial, translated by MEMRI, threatened.

“However, the Zionist regime is now threatened from 360 degrees…Ten days ago, Hizbullah published photos from the Hudhud 3 drone's infiltration of the skies over the Galilee and Haifa, [during which it] documented streets, buildings and military sites. This successful penetration was carried out while Israel's air defense systems and radars were on high alert..."

“This time, however, deep areas such as Tel Aviv, Haifa, and strategic centers, and especially the residences of several senior officials accused of recent crimes, are among the targets. Likewise, this time, in addition to causing strategic damage, painful casualties must be part of the focus of the special operations.

"Additional reprisal targets included in the list of punishments are ships of the Zionist regime forced to sail from the Indian Ocean [around Africa] to the Mediterranean, and if so far they have been only lightly damaged, now they will be a target for attacks aiming to cause heavy losses and to sink them."

The Israeli economy will also not be immune from these retaliation operations. As of right now, even before the operation has begun, European and American airlines have cancelled flights to the occupied territories [i.e. Israel].”

Read the full translation of the Kayhan article here.