Prime Ministers Netanyahu and Putin Discuss Iran, Syria in Crucial Talk
A discussion between Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Russian President Vladimir Putin has been confirmed by the Prime Minister’s Office. The main topic of the conversation was Iran. The dialogues reportedly extended beyond Iran, encompassing a broader set of issues impacting West Asia and the East region, particularly focusing on Iran’s nuclear agenda and the recent sectarian clashes in Syria.
In this discussion, President Putin underscored the need to maintain the unity, sovereignty, and territorial wholeness of Syria. This exchange between the leaders followed an Israeli air offensive that took place early this month, which targeted military bases in Damascus and Sweida, in response to sectarian agitation in the city having a Druze majority.
The context of the unrest lies in the province of Sweida. It started with bouts of aggressive confrontations involving Druze warriors and Sunni Bedouin tribes starting from July 13, which continued for a whole week.
Tensions were notably escalated when the Syrian government forces stepped in the fray, taking the side of the Bedouin. This intervention resulted in a large number of casualties, with over 1,400 persons, primarily being Druze, losing their lives. Additionally, over 250 Druze civilians tragically met their fate in summary executions performed by government officials.
President Putin emphasized the necessity for political stability in the nation, allowing a respectful indulgence for the interests of all ethnically and religiously diverse groups. Russia, despite being engaged in a war of its own in Ukraine, continues to maintain its military presence in Syria, throwing its support behind the Bashar al-Assad led regime. The fall of the Assad regime provoked a move to Moscow in December.
Certain reports highlight that President Putin proposed to revive the discussions pertaining to Iran’s nuclear program, which had hit a wall following the unexpected airstrikes by Israel targeting Iran’s military and nuclear facilities. This incident lead to a period of intense fighting lasting 12 days.
Russia occupies a unique position, enjoying close alliances with Iran, as well as maintaining diplomatic ties with Israel, notably having a considerable Russian emigrant population. According to some claims, Russia opted not to lend its support to Tehran during the recent military actions initiated by Israel and the US against Iranian territories.
It was reported earlier this month that Israel has quietly begun diplomatic dealings with Russia with an aim to diffuse tensions involving Iran and Syria. In a significant development, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov expressed in June that Moscow is ready to assist in reducing the US-Iran chasm, by transforming Iran’s enriched uranium stocks into fuel usable for civilian reactors.
Yet, ambiguity persists around Moscow’s willingness to undertake its former role with respect to Iran’s nuclear program at this critical stage. In summary, these latest geopolitical maneuvers underscore the complex and evolving nature of regional dynamics within West Asia.