Israel Warns Russia On The Consequences Of Shipping Advance Weapons To Syria

Israeli Defense Minister Moshe Yaalon (c.) walks next to Israel's armed forces chief Major-General Benny Gantz (r.) during a visit to a military base near Kibbutz Kissufim outside the central Gaza Strip, May 7, 2013. Amir Cohen/Reuters

Israel Warns Of Action Over Russian Plan To Give Missiles To Syria's Assad -- NBC

A senior Israeli defense official warned on Tuesday that Russia’s plan to send sophisticated anti-aircraft weapons systems to Syria’s President Bashar Assad was a “threat” and signaled Israel could take some form of unspecified action in response.

Israel has launched airstrikes inside Syria that it says were designed to stop weapons shipments getting to the Assad-allied Hezbollah movement in Lebanon.

Russia on Tuesday reiterated its intention to go ahead with the arms deal. Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov said it would “restrain some hotheads from escalating the conflict to the international scale," according to Russia Today.

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More News On Israel Warning Russia On The Consequences Of Shipping Advance Weapons To Syria

Israel warns Russia it's prepared to strike weapon shipments to Syria -- Christian Science Monitor/AP
Israel 'will know what to do' over Russia missiles -- Global Post/AFP
Israel minister warns Russia against arming Syria -- AP
Israel says Russian anti-aircraft system not headed to Syria yet -- Reuters
Justifiably worried Israelis play hardball with Moscow -- Matt Gurney, National Post

Israel Will Try To Convince Russia To Not Transfer Surface-To-Air Missiles To Syria

S-300 missile defense system. © RIA Novosti. Mikhail Fomichev

Netanyahu Trying To Thwart Transfer Of Surface-To-Air Missiles From Russia To Syria -- Haaretz

The alleged Israeli bombardments in Syria came at the height of a stormy debate in Washington.

Following the two recent air strikes on Syria that foreign media sources attributed to Israel, there have been at least three worrisome developments over the past few days in regard to those attacks. ‏(Both attacks reportedly targeted long-range missiles and antiaircraft weapons that were earmarked for Hezbollah.‏)

First, Syrian President Bashar Assad − as well as Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah − threatened that the struggle against Israel would be renewed on the Golan Heights. Second, Hezbollah said publicly for the first time that it wants to obtain what are described as “game-changing weapons” − those weapons ‏(chemical, advanced antiaircraft, precise surface-to-surface missiles, Russian Yakhont cruise missiles‏) that Israel has said it will continue to stop Hezbollah from obtaining.

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My Comment: This is not going to be an easy sale. The only trump card that Netanyahu has are the one million Russian Jewish emigres who now live in Israel.

Israel Is Tracking The Russian Navy

This photo released by the Syrian official news agency SANA shows devices that resemble rocks and that were found in Syria’s coastal region, northwest of Damascus, Syria, on March 7, 2013. Press TV

Report: Israel's Syria Spy Cameras Tracked Russian |Navy -- Haaretz

Spying equipment uncovered by Syria earlier this month was used by Israel to monitor the movements of Russian warships, The Sunday Times reports.

Israel used spying equipment it planted off the Syrian coast to monitor Russian naval movements in the Mediterranean, The Sunday Times reported.

Earlier this month Syria’s state television reported that Israeli spy equipment was uncovered monitoring a “sensitive site” on its Mediterranean coast. The footage showed a camera, six large batteries, cables and transmitters, along with fake rocks used to camouflage the equipment.

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More News On Israel Tracking The Russian Navy

Israel tracked Russian navy in Syria -- Times of Israel
Report: Israel spied on Russian fleet -- YNet News
Israel spies on Russian fleet off Syrian coast -- Jeruaslem Post
Israel’s secret Syria spy cams totally rock! -- New York Post
Nest of Spies: Syria detects ‘spy rocks’ lodged by Israel -- Al Arabiya
Report: 'Israel Spies on Russian Fleet Off Syrian Coast' -- Arutz Sheva
Israeli spying devices in Syria targeted Russian naval activities: Report -- Press TV (Iran)

Is Russian President Putin Listening To Israel?

President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia, left, at a news conference in Jerusalem with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel, called their discussion on Monday detailed and useful. Pool photo by Jim Hollander

Russian Media Reports: S-300 Sale To Syria Cancelled -- Jerusalem Post

In what could be a possible outcome of Putin's visit to Israel, Russian paper 'Vedomisti' says Russia chose to withhold sale estimated at about $100 million; deal reportedly signed between Russia, Syria in 2011.

Russia has suspended the sale of the advanced S-300 surface-to-air missile system to Syria, a Russian daily reported on Wednesday, in what could be a possible outcome of President Vladimir Putin’s visit to Israel earlier this week.

The Vedomisti business paper reported that Russia chose to withhold the sale, estimated at about $100 million. The deal, previously unknown, was reportedly signed between Almaz-Antey - Russia’s top defense contractor - and Syria in 2011.

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Update: Russian president tours key Christian shrine in West Bank, talks with Palestinian leader -- Washington Post/AP

My Comment: Israel pulled out the red carpet for Putin .... and it looks like they got something back in return. On a side note, Russian media is reporting an interesting fact that should raise the eyebrows back in the U.S. .... Israel is America's most important ally in the region .... but while President Putin has made the effort to visit Israel .... President Obama has yet to visit Israel as President.

Strange .... very strange.

Russian President Putin Visits Israel

Russian President Vladimir Putin will on Monday start his tour of the Middle East. © RIA Novosti. Sergei Guneev

Vladimir Putin Flies To Israel For Iran And Syria Talks -- The Telegraph

Russian President Vladimir Putin arrives in Israel on Monday for talks with Israeli and Palestinian leaders against the backdrop of sustained violence in Syria and concern on Iran's nuclear programme.

Putin will hold talks with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and President Shimon Peres on Monday, as well as unveil a Second World War memorial in the town of Netanya.

On Tuesday, Putin heads to the West Bank, and will meet with Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas, before travelling on to Jordan for talks with King Abdullah II.

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More News On Russian President Putin's Visit To Israel

Vladimir Putin arrives in Israel to discuss sanctions against Iran -- The Guardian
Iran and Syria Discussed in Putin’s Visit to Israel -- New York Times
Putin arrives in Israel to discuss West's standoff with Iran -- Haaretz
Putin to Discuss Syria, Iran During Middle East Tour -- RIA Novosti
PM: Israel, Russia agree a nuke-armed Iran is a danger -- Jerusalem Post
Netanyahu urges action on Iran after meeting Putin -- Reuters
President Putin's Middle East gambit -- Jonathan Marcus, BBC

A Russian Connection To Iran's Nuclear Program

Photo: Russian Atomic Agency Chief Sergei Kiriyenko, centre right, and Iranian Vice President Gholamreza Aghazadeh, centre left, head of Iran's Atomic Energy Organization, shake hands as they arrive to attend a joint press conference at the Bushehr nuclear power plant in Iran. Photo: AP

Israel Names Russians Helping Iran Build Nuclear Bomb -- Times Online

Israel's prime minister, Binyamin Netanyahu, has handed the Kremlin a list of Russian scientists believed by the Israelis to be helping Iran to develop a nuclear warhead. He is said to have delivered the list during a mysterious visit to Moscow.

Netanyahu flew to the Russian capital with Uzi Arad, his national security adviser, last month in a private jet.

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Update: 'PM gave list of Russians aiding Iran' -- Jerusalem Post

My Comment: This is not the first time that I have read stories about this .... but it is the first time that I am reading it from a major Western news organization. Is there truth to the story .... the Israelis appear to believe that this is the case.

Why Did Israel's PM Go To Russia On A "Secret" Mission

Benjamin Netanyahu Photo: EPA

Israel Admits Binyamin Netanyahu's Secret Trip To Moscow -- Times Online

Evidence of a secret dash to Russia by Binyamin Netanyahu, the Israeli Prime Minister, intensified speculation yesterday that a hijacked cargo ship was smuggling arms to Iran.

The Kremlin defended its right to sell S300 air-defence missiles to Iran as Mr Netanyahu was forced on to the defensive over his movements.

Officials refused to say where he was after admitting that an announcement of a visit on Monday to a security facility run by Israel’s Mossad security service was untrue.

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More News On Binyamin Netanyahu's Trip To Russia

Arctic Sea was carrying missiles to Iran, new report suggests -- The Telegraph
Russian Mystery Ship Suspected of Arms Shipment to Iran -- Danger Room
Netanyahu faces storm over secret Moscow visit -- The Telegraph
Netanyahu's Secrecy Sparks Anger-- Wall Street Journal
Papers slam Netanyahu trip 'lies' -- BBC
Benjamin Netanyahu's secret trip to Russia a big mistake -- The Australian

My Comment: I think there is more to this case than what is being said. Unfortunately .... until someone "big" starts to talk .... we will never know exactly why the Israeli PM went to Russia.

Did Israeli PM Netanyahu Secretly Visit Russia To Talk About Iran?

Benjamin Netanyahu's hours-long absence from public view sparked
furious rumours in the Israeli media. Photo AFP

Iran Raids, Closes Offices Of Opposition Candidate -- Reuters

JERUSALEM (Reuters) - Israeli media reports said on Wednesday Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu secretly visited Moscow on Monday in a bid to dissuade Russia from selling weapons to Iran.

In Moscow, a spokesman for Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin denied the reports.

A spokesman for Netanyahu said he had visited a security installation in Israel, reiterating a statement issued by his office on Monday amid media speculation about his whereabouts.

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More News On These Rumors Of A Secret Netanyahu Visit To Russia

Israeli PM 'made secret visit' to Russia over Iran -- AFP
Netanyahu secretly visited Moscow -- JTA
MIDEAST: Netanyahu reportedly to Russia to discuss weapons, Iran -- AGI
Report: PM held secret talks in Russia -- Ynet News
Putin denies meeting Netanyahu in Moscow -- Ynet News
Putin denies secret meeting with Netanyahu -- Haaretz
Russia: Putin Did Not Meet with Netanyahu -- Arutz Sheva
Netanyahu disappears for day on classified 'military tour' -- Haaretz
Netanyahu disappears for 10 hours -- Jerusalem Post

Will Russia Still Send The S-300 Anti-Aircraft System To Iran?

Dmitry Medvedev (right) and Shimon Peres. Photo AFP

Kremlin Reconsiders Iran Missiles -- Wall Street Journal/AP

Israeli Leader Says Promise Was Made at Black Sea Talks

MOSCOW -- The Kremlin has promised to reconsider its planned delivery of air defense missiles to Iran, which Israel and the U.S. fear could be used to protect Tehran's nuclear facilities, Israeli President Shimon Peres said Wednesday.

Russian President Dmitry Medvedev made the pledge during their talks Tuesday in the Black Sea resort of Sochi, said Mr. Peres.

"President Medvedev gave a promise he will reconsider the sales of S-300s because it affects the delicate balance which exists in the Middle East," Mr. Peres said. A Kremlin spokesman declined to comment on Mr. Peres's statement.

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Update #1: Israel Says Russia May Reconsider Plans to Sell Missiles to Iran -- New York Times

Update #2: Russia may nix S-300 sale to Iran -- UPI

Update #3: Russia to reconsider sale of missiles to Iran - Israel -- Reuters

My Comment: The Russians are going to send the S-300 system to Iran. They want a toehold in Iran .... and they will lose face if they renege on this agreement. The question is when this system (with its Russian advisers) are sent .... not if.

I am speculating here .... but I believe one possible reason why the S-300 system has not been sent to Iran (already) was that someone in Moscow decided to use this sale as a negotiating tool with the Americans on the issue of missile defense. A quid pro quo between the two nations .... but the U.S. is not biting.

Medvedev: I'll Review Decision To Sell Iran Anti-Aircraft Missiles

Russia's President Dmitry Medvedev (R) meets his Israeli counterpart Shimon Peres at the President's official vacation residence of Bocharov Ruchei in the Black Sea resort of Sochi August 18, 2009. REUTERS/Ria Novosti/Kremlin/Dmitry Astakhov (RUSSIA POLITICS)

From Haaretz:

Russian President Dmitry Medvedev promised President Shimon Peres Tuesday that Russia will review a decision to sell Iran S-300 anti-aircraft missiles.

Peres told his Russian counterpart that a Iranian nuclear weapon would be a "flying death camp." The two leaders met in the Russian president's summer residence in the Black Sea town of Sochi.

Peres had also asked Medvedev to assist in the release of kidnapped soldier Gilad Shalit by pressuring Syrian and Hamas leadership in Damascus. Medvedev responded by offering resources, including engaging its intelligence and diplomatic corps in efforts to secure Shalit's release.

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My Comment: The Russians were saying last year that there was no truth to the stories that Russia had agreed to sell to Iran the S-300 systems. Now they are saying that they will review the sale.

Sighhh ....