Russian intelligence in contact with both Iran, Israel, SVR chief says

Russia's Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR) maintains communication with both Iranian and Israeli intelligence services regarding the current escalated situation between the two countries, said SVR Director Sergei Naryshkin.

Naryshkin stressed that the current situation between the two conflicting states is critical, Caliber.Az reports, citing Russian media.

"We are in contact with representatives of both sides of the conflict - with representatives of the relevant special intelligence services of both Iran and Israel," he said.

The current crisis was triggered by Israel’s Operation Rising Lion, which began on June 13, and involved strikes on Iranian nuclear and military targets. According to reports, the operation aimed to disrupt Iran’s nuclear program, with Israel claiming it targeted a “centrifuge production” site. The attacks killed several high-ranking Iranian officials, prompting Tehran to vow a severe response. Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, rejected U.S. President Donald Trump’s call for “unconditional surrender” and warned of serious consequences for further U.S. or Israeli actions.

Iran’s retaliation included missile and drone strikes on Israeli targets, with reports of fires and unrest across Iran, some attributed to dissidents. The Iranian Armed Forces General Staff declared that Israel had “crossed every existent red line,” raising fears of an all-out war.

By Khagan Isayev