Russian President Vladimir Putin has asked Iran's Supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei for a restrained response to Israel's suspected killing of the leader of Hamas, advising against attacks on Israeli civilians, two senior Iranian sources said.
The message, according to the sources, was delivered on Monday by Sergei Shoigu, a senior ally of the Kremlin leader, in meetings with top Iranian officials as the Islamic Republic weighs its response to the assassination of Ismail Haniyeh.
Tehran also pressed Moscow for the delivery of Russian made Sukhoi Su-35 fighter jets, the two Iranian sources, privy to the meeting in Tehran, the sources told Reuters.
Strengthening ties between Russia and Iran
Tehran has asked Russia to deploy its advanced air defense systems in Iran, The Jerusalem Post earlier on Tuesday, citing a report by the New York Times.
This request follows Russia’s condemnation of the recent killing of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh and its appeal for calm in the Middle East.
Russia has started providing Iran with advanced radar and air defense equipment, and in return, Iran has sold its Shahed-107 drone, which Russia uses in its conflict with Ukraine, showing the growing military cooperation between the two countries.
Reuters contributed to this report.