Israeli Media: Tel Aviv Has Sent a Message to Iran Through Russia

Israeli media reports that the country has sent a 'message' to Iran through Russia, urging it not to seek revenge for the killing of a Revolutionary Guard commander and senior Hezbollah officials, and calling for 'calm'. According to reports reflected in the 'Times of Israel', this 'message' was conveyed by Avigdor Lieberman, Israel's Foreign Minister, during his meetings in Moscow with senior Russian officials. Israeli media states that Lieberman asked Russian leaders to urge Iran to remain 'calm'. Channel 10 of Israeli television reported on Sunday, February 5, that this 'message' was intended to reassure Iran and Hezbollah that Israel does not wish to escalate the situation. According to Israeli media reports, Lieberman will also travel from Russia to China, sending a similar 'message' to Iran through Chinese officials. Following last Sunday’s attack in the Syrian Golan Heights, which resulted in the deaths of Mohammad Ali Allahdadi, a commander of the Revolutionary Guard, Jihad Mughniyeh, the son of Hezbollah military commander Imad Mughniyeh, and several others, the Revolutionary Guard has threatened Israel with 'specific revenge'. However, Channel 10 of Israeli television reported that Lieberman told Russian officials that last week’s attack in the Syrian Golan Heights was 'a defensive action' by Israel. Meanwhile, Israel has not officially accepted responsibility for the recent attack in Syria. Channel 10 states that Israel's 'message' was sent in advance to Tehran and Beirut. Israel has been concerned about Hezbollah's retaliation since February 2008 when Imad Mughniyeh was killed in Syria. However, according to the 'Times of Israel', the recent killing of Jihad Mughniyeh alongside a Revolutionary Guard commander has intensified these concerns. Channel 2 of Israeli television reported on Friday, February 3, that a Hezbollah convoy, accompanied by General Allahdadi, was visiting a headquarters in Quneitra that had recently been established to direct new attacks from the Syrian Golan against Israel. According to this report, this headquarters was formed for rocket attacks on northern Israel and attempts to abduct Israeli soldiers and civilians in the north of the country. Israeli media have reported that Avigdor Lieberman emphasized Israel's positions regarding Iran's nuclear program and the 1+5 negotiations with Iran during his meetings with senior Russian and Chinese officials.