Israel is committed to "regulating" its relationship with Iran, Russian President Vladimir Putin said at a summit in Tajikistan last week, citing confidential contacts with Israeli leaders. "We are getting signals from the Israeli leadership asking us to convey to our Iranian friends that Israel is not interested in any kind of confrontation," Putin said. Tehran, according to the Russian president, also wants to "work toward peace." Putin also made a point that the Iranian regime "must not possess nuclear weapons."
It is not clear if this message from Israel is sincere, a ruse, or simply voiced by Putin in service of Russia's own interests, warns geopolitical analyst Arman Mahmoudian. "Iranian media reports that Iran has purchased Russian Su-35 fighter jets. If Russia actually delivers them despite the war in Ukraine, it would be a signal of support for Tehran," he told DW.