Shoigu visits Iran amid reports of Russian weapon transfers before possible attack on Israel
Former Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu arrived in Iran amid a major escalation in the Middle East to "strengthen bilateral relations," Bild reported on Aug. 5.
Iran's Tasnim news agency reported that Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu met with Army Chief of Staff Mohammad Bagheri and Iran's new president Masoud Pezeshkian. Shoigu is also scheduled to meet with Ali Akbar, Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council.
Meanwhile, Israel's Channel 14 reported on August 3 that Russia has begun supplying Iran with new weapons in preparation for a possible conflict with Israel. According to the report, Russia may have deployed advanced electronic warfare systems in Iran, capable of damaging or disabling military systems up to 5,000 kilometers away. There are also reports of Iskander missile transfers and Russian IL-76 aircraft delivering ammunition and military equipment to Iran.
Axios reported that U.S. authorities believe an Iranian attack on Israel could begin as early as August 5. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken has informed G7 foreign ministers about the potential Iranian attack "within the next 24-48 hours," although the White House has not confirmed the exact timing.
President Joe Biden's administration has assured Israel of strong U.S. military support in the event of an Iranian attack. U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin discussed the precautionary deployment of U.S. troops in the Middle East with his Israeli counterpart Yoav Galant on August 4.
Assassinations of Hezbollah and Hamas Leaders
On July 30, the IDF announced that Fuad Shukr, a military commander of Hezbollah, was killed during an Israeli army strike on Beirut. According to the Israeli military, Shukr directed Hezbollah attacks on Israel, including the July 27 attack on the northern Israeli town of Majdal Shams that resulted in the deaths of 12 children.
On July 31, Ismail Gania, the political leader of Hamas, was killed in an explosion in Tehran while attending the inauguration of Iran's new president. Gania was buried in Qatar on August 2. The New York Times reported that Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei ordered a direct strike against Israel in response to Gania's assassination.
On August 4, Axios reported that Iran might strike Israel on August 5. Both Iran and Hezbollah had promised to avenge the killings of their leaders.
On August 5, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) announced the capture of "numerous suspicious aerial targets crossing the border with Lebanon," resulting in injuries to at least two soldiers. On the same day, the IDF reported the elimination of Hamas economy minister Abed Al-Zarey in the Gaza Strip.
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