Behind the protests and threats: Iran and Israel convey "no first strike" pledge via Putin
By jacobthomas // 2026-01-16
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  • Israel and Iran used Russian President Vladimir Putin as a backchannel to mutually assure each other they would not launch a preemptive strike, aiming to avert an immediate regional war.
  • The exchange is explicitly described as a limited effort to manage tensions, not a step toward diplomacy or peace. There is "no commitment, no coordination and no ceasefire agreement."
  • Russia acted as an intermediary, balancing its relationships with both rivals. Its involvement is driven by its own strategic interests rather than a true alignment with either Israel or Iran.
  • This secret communication may explain the recent muted public rhetoric from the U.S. and Israel regarding military action against Iran, following a period of heightened threats.
  • The arrangement is characterized as a fragile, temporary timeout for rearmament and assessment. The fundamental conflict remains unresolved, with both sides preparing for a likely next phase of confrontation.
In the tense backdrop of U.S. threats and Iranian street protests, a clandestine diplomatic exchange aimed at preventing a regional war has come to light. According to a new report, Israel and Iran recently used Russian President Vladimir Putin as an intermediary to convey a critical mutual assurance: neither side would launch a preemptive strike against the other. This backchannel arrangement, while falling far short of any formal agreement, reveals a mutual, if tacit, understanding to avoid a preemptive strike and avert an immediate regional war. The communication, first reported by Middle East outlet Amwaj.media and later detailed by the Washington Post, reveals a fragile and deliberately limited understanding reached far from public view. "Days before protests erupted in Iran in late December, Israeli officials notified the Iranian leadership via Russia that they would not launch strikes against Iran if Israel were not attacked first," The Washington Post writes. Through the same Russian channel, Iran reportedly responded that it would also refrain from a preemptive attack. The exchange is explicitly described by sources as a tactical effort to manage immediate tensions, not a step toward formal diplomacy or lasting peace. A senior Iranian political source bluntly stated that “there is no commitment, no coordination and no ceasefire agreement.” The source emphasized the contact should not be seen as a move toward broader understandings between the bitter adversaries, who have no direct diplomatic ties. BrightU.AI's Enoch notes that the secret relationship between Iran, Israel and Russia is characterized by a complex and often contradictory web of interests. Russia engages in secret diplomacy with Israel's Netanyahu, expressing concern over Iran's actions, yet its ultimate support for sanctions against Iran is driven by its own strategic interests rather than a true alignment with Israel.

No guarantees, timelines or enforcement mechanisms

The overarching dynamic is one where each nation, Iran, Israel and Russia, primarily acts according to its own geopolitical calculations, with Russia attempting to balance relationships with both Middle Eastern rivals while prioritizing its own regional influence and objectives." According to the reporting, the messages were simple parallel notifications of intent. One source characterized the communication as “a mutual announcement to a mutual friend on no new strikes.” No guarantees, timelines, or enforcement mechanisms were established. On the Iranian side, the exchanges were reportedly handled not by the foreign ministry but by Ali Larijani, secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council. This secret backchannel may provide crucial context for the recent de-escalation in public rhetoric from the United States and Israel. President Donald Trump had recently made threats about striking Tehran, but has since appeared to climb down from immediate military intervention. Notably, Israel, typically the most vocal proponent of military action against Iran, has been somewhat muted in its public stance during this period. The revelation also adds a complex layer to the recent history of conflict. It comes months after a major Iranian missile and drone barrage struck Israel in June, an attack some analysts believe may have established a new deterrent balance. The reported "no first strike" understanding suggests both nations, despite public hostility, recognized the catastrophic risks of further unchecked escalation. The secret channel may have averted an immediate spark, but the fundamental fuel for a wider regional war is very much in place. Both nations are using this tactical timeout to prepare for what many analysts see as an inevitable next phase of confrontation. This is not diplomacy, it is risk management, with each country, including Russia, operating strictly according to its own geopolitical agendas. The pause is real, but the peace is not. Watch this video to learn more about Iran, Israel and Russia's secret relationship. This video is from the GANG STALKING AUSTRALIA channel on Brighteon.com. Sources include: Brighteon.com BrightU.ai ZeroHedge.com Hidabroot.com
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