'Israel', the West are concerned over Iran, Russia ties: Haaretz
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The United States, Europe, and "Israel" are growing increasingly apprehensive about the potential consequences of these expanding alliances.
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President Masoud Pezeshkian, right, speaks with Secretary of Russia's Security Council Sergei Shoigu during their meeting at his office in Tehran, Iran, on August 5, 2024. (AP)
The Israeli newspaper Haaretz reported that the United States and European powers have recently expressed growing concerns over "Russia’s escalating involvement in the Middle East conflict, particularly Moscow’s collaboration with Iran and its support for the Ansar Allah movement in Yemen."
According to Haaretz, the primary concern of the Americans and Europeans is that "Russia will leverage these tensions to advance its interests in the Middle East and support Iran and its allied organizations in their continued conflict with Israel."
A senior US official informed the Israeli newspaper that there are growing signs of "Russian involvement" in supporting the Axis of Resistance.
The official said that this was “not only evident in UN statements and votes but also in military cooperation,” especially after the visit of the Secretary of the Russian Security Council Sergei Shoigu to Iran “amidst the escalating tensions between Israel and Iran following the assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh.”
“Russian intervention worries us a lot, and it should worry Israel too,” one diplomat involved in the discussions with "Israel" told Haaretz, adding “We have been telling Israel for more than two years that cooperation between Russia and Iran will not stop at the war in Ukraine, but will ultimately hurt you as well.”
During his visit to Tehran on Monday, Shoigu condemned the assassination of Hamas political bureau chief Ismail Haniyeh, stating that "the perpetrators of this crime seek to escalate tensions in the region."
Shoigu expressed "Russia's readiness for full cooperation with the Islamic Republic of Iran, especially in regional affairs."
In turn, Major General Mohammad Bagheri, Chief of Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces, who hosted Shoigu and his delegation, emphasized that Iranian-Russian relations are strategic, deep, and enduring, and will remain unaffected by changes in government.
Bagheri stated, "America knows very well that the world has moved beyond unipolarity," and expressed support for "trilateral cooperation between Iran, Russia, and China."
