Putin Urges Iran to Avoid Civilian Casualties in Response to Suspected Israeli Assassination

Russian President Putin has urged Iran to respond cautiously to the suspected Israeli assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh, advising against targeting civilians. The message was delivered by Putin's aide during a visit to Tehran. Iran plans a severe response, raising concerns about potential escalation in the Middle East.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has reportedly advised Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei to exercise restraint in responding to the suspected Israeli assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh. The message, delivered by Putin's aide Sergei Shoigu during a recent visit to Tehran, emphasized the importance of avoiding attacks on Israeli civilians.

Two senior Iranian sources revealed that Shoigu's meetings with top Iranian officials on Monday included discussions about Iran's potential retaliation. The Kremlin has not commented on these reports, although Russian state media confirmed that Haniyeh's killing was discussed during Shoigu's visit.

The sources indicated that Moscow is attempting to prevent a major Middle East war while simultaneously condemning Haniyeh's assassination as "a very dangerous" act. Russia, which has strengthened ties with Iran since the Ukraine conflict began, is reportedly preparing to sign a comprehensive cooperation agreement with Tehran.

Iranian officials have stated that while they do not seek to escalate regional tensions, they feel compelled to punish Israel to prevent further instability. Meanwhile, a U.S. official warned that the scale of Iran's and Hezbollah's response could be a crucial factor in determining the extent of a potential conflict.

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Despite diplomatic efforts by Western and regional states to encourage a measured response or no retaliation at all, Iran has reportedly informed foreign officials of its intention to respond "severely" to Haniyeh's killing.

As tensions rise, Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant has warned that Israel must be prepared for any scenario, including a swift transition to offensive operations. The situation remains volatile, with the international community closely monitoring developments in this critical region.