Iran requests latest Russian air defense systems to prepare for war with Israel

The New York Times writes about this, citing Iranian media and its own sources among Iranian officials, including a member of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).

After receiving a request from Iran, Russia began to supply modern radars and air defense equipment.

The outlet reports that on August 5, former Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu visited Iran and met with President Masoud Pezeshkian and General Mohammad Bagheri, who is in charge of planning military strikes against Israel. He also met with the Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council.

"Shoigu's visit highlights the close alliance between Iran and Russia, which has been strengthened since the outbreak of the war in Ukraine in 2022. Iran has provided Russia with military drones, and the two countries recently finalized an agreement to expand military and intelligence cooperation," the NYT emphasizes.

Subsequently, following these meetings, Shoigu stated that Russia was "ready for full cooperation with Iran on regional issues."

According to the NYT, although Russia has economic and cultural ties with Israel, it cannot afford to refuse Iran's help, as the Kremlin relies heavily on Iranian military assistance, in particular, in the supply of Shahed drones.

What is known about the escalation of the conflict in the Middle East

On July 30, the Israeli Defense Forces attacked the Lebanese capital of Beirut and killed Hezbollah's top military commander, who was responsible for the missile attack on Majdal Shams.

On the morning of Wednesday, July 31, it was reported that the head of the political bureau of the Palestinian Hamas movement, Ismail Haniyeh, was killed in the Iranian capital of Teheran.

Subsequently, the Financial Times reported that senior US and EU officials are holding urgent talks to eliminate the leaders of Hezbollah and Hamas to prevent the threat of a full-scale regional war.

Axios also reported, citing three US officials, that the Biden administration is convinced that Iran is going to attack Israel in response to the assassination of Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh and is preparing to counteract it.

The French Ministry of Foreign Affairs urged its citizens in Iran to leave the country "as soon as possible due to the increased risk of military escalation."

Due to the deteriorating security situation, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine updated recommendations for Ukrainians staying in Israel and Lebanon.

The United States decided to increase its military presence in the Middle East to protect its troops and help defend Israel due to the escalation and threats from Iran and its allies.

On August 5, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said at a meeting with G7 foreign ministers that Iran and Hezbollah could strike Israel within the next 24 hours.

Later, Biden convened a national security meeting over Iran's alleged attack on Israel.