Russia has reportedly warned Iran against escalations in the Middle East, calling on it to restrain confrontations with Israel and adhere to established rules of engagement.
The message was conveyed by the Secretary-General of the Russian Security Council, Sergei Shoigu, who visited Iran recently and held talks with senior Iranian officials, following the assassination of the head of Hamas Political Bureau, Ismail Haniyeh, in Tehran.
Shoigu, a former Defense Minister, visited Iran upon the invitation of Ali Akbar Ahmadian, the Secretary-General of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council.
Shoigu conveyed a message from Russian President Vladimir Putin warning Iranian officials “of the dangers of escalation.”
Diplomatic circles revealed that the Russian official refused an Iranian request to acquire modern warplanes to reinforce and upgrade its aging air force fleet which dates back to the days of the Shah, and has not been renewed ever since.
According to diplomatic sources Russia refuses to enter the arms race. Its stance in that regard is meant to send a clear message that Moscow agrees with Washington on the need to prevent war in the region.
