Top Russian defense official meets Iranian leadership in Tehran
The Cradle, August 5, 2024 —
The visit comes as regional tensions are at an all-time high, as Iran is expected to retaliate to Israel’s recent killing of Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran
The Secretary of Russia’s Security Council, Sergei Shoigu, arrived in Iran’s capital, Tehran, on 5 August for high-level talks on bilateral relations, as well as international and regional developments.
“Shoigu’s talks with the Iranian officials will cover trade and economy as well as regional and international security, among other things,” Iranian news outlet IRNA reported.
Russia’s RIA Novosti outlet said the top security official will discuss strengthening security ties and other issues.
Shoigu met with the head of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, Ali Akbar Ahmadian, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, and the Chief of Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces, Major General Mohammad Bagheri.
The visit comes as regional tensions are at an all-time high following Israel’s assassinations of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran on 31 July and top Hezbollah war commander Fuad Shukr in a Beirut residential building the day before.
Russia strongly condemned the Israeli escalation late last month.
The meetings with Shoigu came one day after a rare visit by Jordan’s Foreign Minister, Ayman Safadi, to Tehran, aimed at discussing the potential regional escalation following Israel’s attacks on Iran and Lebanon.
Tel Aviv is anticipating retaliation from the Islamic Republic and Hezbollah, as both have vowed harsh responses to the Israeli attacks.
In response to the strike on its consulate in Damascus in early April, which killed several Iranian officials, Tehran launched hundreds of drones and missiles at Israel in an operation dubbed True Promise.
At the time, Iranian officials said the response was “limited,” sending a message to Israel that Tehran is capable of far more.
On 4 August, sources told the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) that “Iran told Arab diplomats it didn’t care if the response triggered a war.”
An Iranian source told Al Mayadeen on Sunday that Tehran plans to “cross Israel’s red lines” with its response.