Washington(The COW News Digital) Iran and Israel have reportedly conveyed assurances that they will not initiate a first strike against each other, using Russia as a diplomatic intermediary, according to a report published by a leading American newspaper.
The Washington Post revealed that the exchange of messages took place through Russian channels in late December, shortly before protests erupted in Iran. The report cites informed sources who said the communications were aimed at preventing a sudden escalation between the two long-standing regional rivals at a time of heightened tensions in the Middle East.
According to the report, Israeli officials sent a message to Iran via Russia, stating that Israel would refrain from taking military action against Iran as long as it was not attacked first. The message was intended to clarify Israel’s position and reduce the risk of miscalculation amid growing regional instability.
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In response, Iran reportedly used the same Russian channel to relay a similar assurance. Iranian leadership conveyed that Tehran would also avoid launching any preemptive attack against Israel, signaling a mutual understanding to prevent an immediate military confrontation.
The Washington Post noted that Russia’s role as an intermediary highlights Moscow’s continued diplomatic engagement in Middle Eastern affairs, particularly its ability to maintain communication lines with both Tehran and Tel Aviv despite strained global relations. Analysts say Russia’s involvement may have helped de-escalate tensions at a sensitive moment.
The disclosure comes at a time when the region has been on edge due to multiple flashpoints, including the war in Gaza, rising US-Iran tensions, and concerns over broader regional spillover. Both Iran and Israel have repeatedly accused each other of hostile actions, including covert operations and indirect confrontations through regional allies.
Security experts suggest that the reported assurances do not necessarily indicate a long-term thaw in relations, but rather a tactical move by both sides to avoid a direct and immediate conflict. They caution that the situation remains fragile, as any major incident could still trigger retaliation.
Neither Israeli nor Iranian officials have publicly confirmed or denied the report. However, observers say the absence of official rebuttals lends some weight to the newspaper’s claims.
The report also underscores growing international efforts to prevent further escalation in the Middle East, where overlapping conflicts and rivalries have increased the risk of a wider war. Diplomatic backchannels, analysts say, are playing a crucial role in managing tensions even when public rhetoric remains confrontational.
As regional dynamics continue to evolve, the reported assurances highlight the importance of indirect diplomacy in containing conflicts between adversarial states with no formal diplomatic relations.
