Netanyahu used Putin to relay message of non-aggression to Iran: report

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has reportedly utilized Russian President Vladimir Putin as an intermediary to send messages of reassurance to Iran, aiming to prevent a potential miscalculation that could spark conflict. According to a report by Israel's KAN public broadcaster, Netanyahu asked Putin to convey that Israel has no plans to launch an attack against the Islamic Republic.

Diplomatic messaging through Moscow

Citing unnamed diplomatic sources, KAN reported that the messages were delivered recently, including through phone conversations between the two leaders. The Russian president allegedly stated last October that he had been requested to pass along a message affirming Israel was "not interested in escalation." This outreach is reportedly driven by Israeli concerns that Tehran, fearing an imminent strike, might launch a preemptive attack.

Mixed signals and historical context

The reported backchannel reassurance contrasts with Netanyahu's public rhetoric. Speaking in the Knesset on Monday, he warned Iran that any attack on Israel would incur "very severe consequences." The region remains on edge following a significant confrontation in June, when Israel and Iran engaged in direct hostilities that included U.S. airstrikes on Iranian nuclear facilities before a ceasefire was brokered. Recent Israeli media speculation has focused on Iran's ballistic missile program and the potential for a new Israeli strike.

A complex regional calculus

The use of Moscow as a conduit highlights the complex and often indirect nature of diplomacy in the volatile Middle East, where formal channels between adversaries are often closed. For regional powers like Türkiye, which advocate for de-escalation and diplomatic solutions, such indirect messaging underscores the persistent risk of unintended conflict and the critical need for transparent communication and confidence-building measures to maintain regional stability.