Russian ambassador reveals discreet diplomatic talks with Israel and Iran

Russia’s ambassador to Israel said in an interview published on Saturday by the Russian news agency RIA Novosti that Moscow held discreet diplomatic talks last month with both Iran and Israel.

According to Anatoly Viktorov, the two countries sought Russian mediation aimed at reducing the risk of renewed open conflict between the two regional powers.

Although Russia is considered an ally of the Iranian regime, it has maintained comparatively solid diplomatic relations with Israel since the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991.

Viktorov also indicated that Moscow is prepared to mediate between the United States and Iran amid growing tensions and the possibility of U.S. military strikes on the Islamic Republic. He stressed that Russia stands ready to offer its “good services, without imposing them.”

The Russian diplomat revealed that Moscow "has an orderly course of action that proved its effectiveness during the confrontation in the summer of 2025," referring to the large-scale Israeli offensive, Operation Rising Lion, against Iran’s military, missile, and nuclear assets.

The U.S. later joined the campaign, with bombers striking Iran’s three main nuclear sites – Natanz, Isfahan, and Fordo – during Operation Midnight Hammer.

"We are prepared for any change in the security situation, but prefer not to have to activate the plan. Russia continues to adhere to a political and diplomatic solution to conflicts in the region and is ready to coordinate positions with international and regional partners in order to prevent further escalation," the Russian envoy stated.

Diplomatic relations between Russia and Israel have deteriorated to some extent following Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022 and its subsequent strategic military alliance with the Iranian regime, which openly calls for Israel’s destruction. Moscow has also hosted senior Hamas terrorists following the Oct. 7, 2023, massacre, a move that angered Jerusalem. Russia, for its part, has been angered by Israel’s decision to join the free world’s condemnation of Russian aggression against Ukrainian civilians.

However, the Russian ambassador argued that relations between Moscow and Jerusalem "have stood the test of time and continue to be based on intensive political dialogue, deep cultural ties, and impressive trade volume - even amid international turbulence and regional conflicts."

"Even today, the solid foundation of cooperation is intensive political dialogue, first and foremost at the highest level," the Russian envoy argued, likely referring to the close personal relationship developed over the years between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Viktorov told the news outlet that Putin and Netanyahu held six phone conversations last year and one call last month.

The Russian ambassador also emphasized that around two million Russian-speaking Israelis form a natural cultural and linguistic bridge between the two countries.

In December 2025, Netanyahu announced his decision to appoint his Military Secretary, Maj.-Gen. Roman Gofman as the next director of Mossad, the country’s foreign intelligence agency. Goffman, who was seriously injured during the Hamas Oct. 7 attack, was born in Belarus and is a native Russian-speaker.

The appointment of Goffman as the next Mossad chief could have a positive impact on the relations between Israel and Russia. While much of the Western world has imposed sanctions on Russia, Israel continues to purchase Russian wheat. Bilateral trade between Russia and Israel reportedly reached more than $2 billion in 2025. 

Looking ahead, the Russian envoy stressed that Moscow seeks long-term and solid relations with Israel. 

"The work continues, sometimes quietly, away from the spotlight, but aimed at results and at strengthening the ties between Russia and Israel," Viktorov said.