In his new book, former Mossad director Yossi Cohen reveals that he personally secured permission from Russian President Vladimir Putin to carry out Israeli strikes on Iranian arms convoys in Syria and Iraq, a rare disclosure of direct coordination between Moscow and Jerusalem in one of the world’s most volatile regions.
Cohen recounts visiting the Kremlin to explain Israel’s need to target Iranian weapons shipments bound for Hezbollah and other Iran-backed militias. According to him, Putin not only understood Israel’s rationale but actively facilitated cooperation by proposing a direct communication channel between the Russian and Israeli militaries. “The Russian and Israeli Deputy Chiefs of Staff decided to set up a direct phone line, coordinating every strike, with Russia explicitly giving the green light for Israeli attacks,” Cohen writes.
He describes the arrangement as “essential” to Israel’s operations in Syria, noting that Russian-controlled S-300 and S-400 air defense systems posed a serious threat to Israeli aircraft. “We cannot risk the beautiful F-35s the Americans give us, so we cannot be shy about our best interests,” he writes, emphasizing that Russia’s approval allowed Israel to neutralize Iranian supply networks without triggering conflict with Moscow’s forces stationed in the region.
Cohen defends his pragmatic approach toward Putin, rejecting the notion that engagement with Moscow was morally compromising. “What am I expected to do? Criticize Putin in some sort of moral frenzy, or negotiate with him in good faith? I chose the latter each and every time,” he writes, explaining that the success of Israel’s regional strategy depended on Russian cooperation. He describes Putin as “a great listener, an incisive negotiator, and a supremely agile thinker” who was capable of finding “solutions of breathtaking, almost audacious, simplicity.”
The former intelligence chief also reflects on his broader diplomatic role as the Israeli prime minister’s envoy to the Kremlin during a period of shifting global alignments. His experience negotiating with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov during the Iran nuclear talks, he says, revealed both Moscow’s toughness and its flexibility once trust was established.
Cohen’s account extends beyond Israel-Russia relations, offering insights into the evolving geopolitical landscape of the Middle East. He predicts that Saudi Arabia will become Israel’s most influential regional partner, citing its long-standing ties with Moscow and its growing independence under Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. He notes that while Riyadh was invited to join the BRICS alliance at the start of 2024—an expansion championed by Russia—it opted to remain an observer to assess the implications of full membership.
