Prime Minister Yair Lapid called the relationship between Iran and Russia a serious problem in an interview with the Russian-speaking independent media outlet RTVI published Thursday.
Lapid commented on the Iranian drones being used by Russia in Ukraine, saying that the fact that Russia uses Iranian drones to kill Ukrainian civilians is unacceptable.
In the interview, Lapid called Iran a dangerous terrorist state, and criticized Russia for doing business with it, saying it puts the whole world in danger.
Lapid also reiterated Israel's support for Ukraine, despite its complex foreign relations and national security issues.
The Iranian drones
Russia has been increasingly using Iranian drones for the last several weeks, creating a new dynamic between Ukraine, Russia, Iran and Israel. The use of Iranian drones alarmed Israel and some speculated it might change Israel's willingness to provide weapons to Ukraine in response to the Iranian entrance to the scene.
Israel might have an interest in allowing its anti-missile and drone technologies to be used against Iran’s drones.
Ukraine has claimed that Iran provided 2,400 drones to Russia. The reported numbers so far show that dozens have been used and many have been shot down.
Russia has reportedly carried out attacks using Iranian Shahed-136 drones, causing serious damage to civil infrastructure.