Israeli FM Warns Iran over Presence in Syria, Reassures Russia

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov (L) meets with his Israeli counterpart Yair Lapid (R) in Moscow, Russia, 09 September 2021. EPA/ALEXANDER NEMENOV/POOL
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov (L) meets with his Israeli counterpart Yair Lapid (R) in Moscow, Russia, 09 September 2021. EPA/ALEXANDER NEMENOV/POOL
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Israeli FM Warns Iran over Presence in Syria, Reassures Russia

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov (L) meets with his Israeli counterpart Yair Lapid (R) in Moscow, Russia, 09 September 2021. EPA/ALEXANDER NEMENOV/POOL
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov (L) meets with his Israeli counterpart Yair Lapid (R) in Moscow, Russia, 09 September 2021. EPA/ALEXANDER NEMENOV/POOL

Israeli Foreign Minister Yair Lapid has lashed out at Iran over its military presence in Syria after meeting with his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov in Moscow.

Lapid agreed with Lavrov to launch a coordination mechanism to enhance military understanding between Moscow and Tel Aviv.

The Israeli foreign minister said there wouldn't be stability in Syria, or the broader Middle East, as long as Iran is present.

He called Tehran "the world's number one exporter of terror."

He added that Israel will not "sit quietly by while Iran builds terror bases on our northern border or while Iran supplies advanced weapons to terror organizations."

However, Lapid said Tel Aviv recognizes Moscow's "key interests in the region" and asserts it is keen to maintain the security of the Russian military in Syria.

"It is very important for us to make sure that no matter what happens in Syria, the Russian military will not be harmed," Lapid said.

In response to a question about Moscow's position on the Israeli raids in Syria, Lapid said that Tel Aviv is working very closely with its Russian partners to avoid a dangerous escalation.

Lapid's escalatory statement came after he reached an agreement with Lavrov to enhance coordination in various aspects.

However, despite this announcement, Moscow still opposes Israeli raids in Syria.

Russia had called upon Israel to deal with "new rules" of engagement in Syria, including informing Moscow of any detected threats, which the Russian army responds to, without the need for military intervention from Tel Aviv.

Lavrov stressed during his meeting with Lapid that ensuring Israel's security is a major priority for Moscow in Syria.

He indicated that Israel's security is a legitimate interest, adding: "We always emphasize that for us, this is one of the key priorities in the Syrian case as well as in other conflicts."

"Russia believes… [in] the territorial integrity of Syria," said Lavrov, adding that "Syria has the right to define the future of its nation."

Lavrov did not mention Iran in his statement, but noted that he and Lapid had discussed the situation in Syria.



Iran Says Continuing Uranium Enrichment on Its Soil 'Red Line'

People walk at the Grand Bazaar in Tehran on June 3, 2025. (AFP)
People walk at the Grand Bazaar in Tehran on June 3, 2025. (AFP)
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Iran Says Continuing Uranium Enrichment on Its Soil 'Red Line'

People walk at the Grand Bazaar in Tehran on June 3, 2025. (AFP)
People walk at the Grand Bazaar in Tehran on June 3, 2025. (AFP)

Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Tuesday that Iran's right to enrich uranium on its soil was a "red line" after the United States submitted its proposal for a new nuclear deal.

"Continuing enrichment on Iranian soil is our red line," Araghchi said while on a visit to Lebanon, adding that his country will respond to the proposal in the coming days based on Iran's "principled positions and the interests of the Iranian people".

US President Donald Trump on Monday reiterated that Iran will not be allowed any enrichment of uranium under a potential deal with Washington.

Araghchi said the US proposal, submitted through mediator Oman, has "many ambiguities and questions".

On Saturday, Iran said it received "elements" of a US proposal for a nuclear deal following five rounds of talks that started in April and were mediated by Oman.

Uranium enrichment has remained a key point of contention between Washington and Tehran in the talks to seal a nuclear deal, with Iran defending what it says is its right to pursue a peaceful nuclear energy program and the US calling it a "red line".

"We will not ask anyone for permission to continue enriching uranium in Iran. However, we are ready to take steps... to ensure that this enrichment will not lead to the production of nuclear weapons," Araghchi said.

Araghchi was visiting Beirut following a stop in Cairo on Monday, where he met with Rafael Grossi, the head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

Grossi on Monday called for more transparency from Iran following a leaked report that showed Tehran had increased production of highly enriched uranium.

The IAEA report showed that Iran has ramped up production of uranium enriched up to 60 percent purity -- close to the roughly 90 percent level needed for atomic weapons.

Western countries, including the United States, have long accused Iran of seeking to acquire nuclear weapons, while Iran insists its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes.