Israeli state broadcaster KAN reported that Jerusalem has opened a confidential diplomatic channel with senior Russian officials aimed at containing Iran’s regional activities and addressing the future of Syria. The high-level contacts began roughly a week after the 24 June cease-fire that ended Israel’s latest aerial campaign against Iranian targets, according to people familiar with the talks. Moscow is said to have offered to mediate between Israel and Iran, positioning itself as a potential guarantor of any subsequent security arrangement in Syria. Details of the discussions were not disclosed, but Israeli officials reportedly see Russia as a key interlocutor for lowering tensions across both theatres. The back-channel effort comes as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu prepares for talks in Washington next week, where he is expected to raise the initiative with U.S. President Donald Trump and seek a broader framework on Iran that could echo Israel’s 2024 maritime accord with Lebanon.