Putin offers Russia as mediator between Israel and Iran amid protests

Friday 16 January 2026 - 11:50

By: Dakir Madiha

Putin offers Russia as mediator between Israel and Iran amid protests

Russian President Vladimir Putin has proposed that Moscow act as a mediator between Israel and Iran during their recent phone call, as tensions simmer in the Middle East following weeks of deadly mass protests in the Islamic Republic. The Kremlin announced the discussion, noting Putin's willingness to intensify political and diplomatic efforts for regional stability and security. Both leaders agreed to maintain ongoing contacts at various levels.

This outreach comes as Russia positions itself as a key diplomatic channel between the two adversaries. Late last month, just before protests erupted, Israeli officials reportedly conveyed through Russian intermediaries that they would not strike Iran without provocation, receiving similar assurances in return. Moscow signed a 20-year strategic partnership with Tehran in January 2025, pledging cooperation on security matters, though Putin has refrained from public comment on the unrest while his foreign minister sidestepped condemnation of the crackdown.

The protests ignited on December 28 when Tehran bazaar merchants took to the streets over the rial's devaluation and economic woes, exploding in scale by January 8. Human rights groups report staggering death tolls, ranging from 2,000 to as many as 20,000 demonstrators killed, according to estimates from the Institute for the Study of War. Iran's foreign minister claimed Thursday that the disturbances have ended, amid a nationwide internet blackout that persists. President Masoud Pezeshkian blamed the United States and Israel for orchestrating the upheaval.

Regional figures have weighed in, with Reza Pahlavi, son of the ousted shah exiled in the United States, urging strikes and seizures of strategic sites. Former U.S. President Donald Trump voiced support for the protesters and warned against executions, later noting a drop in repression intensity. The Institute for the Study of War recorded no protests on January 15, the second straight day without activity.