Russia is mediating negotiations between Israel and Iran regarding a prisoner exchange deal according to Hebrew language media citing Arabic language international newspaper Asharq Al-Awsat. The deal would secure the release of Israeli-Russian academic Elizabeth Tsurkov, who was kidnapped in Iraq, in exchange for the release of the Iranian prisoner Yusuf Shahabazi.
Shahabazi was detained by Israel for attempting to carry out terrorist attacks against Israelis in Cyprus.