Israel, Iran exchanged promises not to carry out surprise attacks – report

Shortly before massive anti-regime protest movement emerged in Iran, Jerusalem and Tel Aviv reportedly opened channel via Russia to ensure that neither side carried out surprise attacks on the other.

By World Israel News Staff

Israel and Iran opened an indirect line of communication in order to ensure that neither side carries out surprise attacks on the other, the Washington Post reported on Wednesday.

The channel was established through Russian intermediaries last year, the report said, enabling Israel and Iran to convey messages to each other at the end of December.

According to the report, Israel initiated the dialogue, which began just days before the beginning of the most recent wave of anti-regime protests.

Israeli officials sent a message through Russia indicating that the IDF would not carry out a preemptive strike on Iran, diplomats and other officials cited by the report said.

The message, which was considered unusual given the relationship between the two countries, said that Israel would only use military force against Iran if the Islamic Republic struck first.

Tehran reportedly responded positively to the Israeli overture, reciprocating with its own pledge, delivered through the same Russian channel, committing not to initiate a new war with Israel.

Jerusalem is said to have opened the channel in order to ensure that any future military operations against Hezbollah do not spark a wider conflict with Iran, Hezbollah’s primary patron.

The pledges were issued despite public statements from both sides at the time warning the other of possible military action.

Officials who spoke with the Washington Post said that while Iran accepted Israel’s assurances it would not strike first, Tehran remained concerned that the US could initiate a new air campaign against Iran, with Israel ultimately being drawn into the conflict.

The sources cited by the report said it is unclear if the escalating unrest in Iran has impacted the pledges given by the two sides not to initiate hostilities.