Media: Iran, Israel use Russia as intermediary for secret messages

In a rare development amid escalating regional tensions, Iran and Israel have reportedly exchanged secret messages through Russia in a bid to prevent further military confrontation, according to sources familiar with the communications.

The exchanges, which have not been formally confirmed by either country, are said to have taken place via a "mutual friend" — believed to be Russian President Vladimir Putin, sources told Amwaj.media.

These indirect communications aimed to de-escalate the situation rather than formalise any long-term agreements or ceasefire arrangements. The sources emphasised that the discussions were not intended to result in a binding deal, but rather to manage immediate tensions and avoid further hostilities.

The Iranian side, in particular, has clarified that these were not discussions toward a ceasefire, but rather "mutual announcements" to a third party about their intentions to refrain from initiating new strikes. A senior Iranian political source confirmed the indirect talks, noting that Ali Larijani, Iran’s newly appointed secretary of the Supreme National Security Council, played a central role in conveying Iran's position during a phone call with Russian officials.

Israel’s response to the situation, communicated via Russia, has not been detailed publicly, but the source insisted that no Israeli officials were directly involved in the call with Tehran. The reports indicate that the indirect exchanges took place approximately two weeks ago, though the precise timing remains unclear.

The Kremlin has confirmed that President Putin recently spoke with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, with discussions focusing primarily on the Gaza ceasefire, but also covering broader regional issues. It remains uncertain whether these talks were directly linked to the Iran-Israel exchanges, as the Israeli government has not commented on the matter.

By Sabina Mammadli