Sen. Tom Cotton (R-AR) questioned the idea of Russian President Vladimir Putin playing a role in the negotiations between Israel and Iran, citing how Putin did “nothing” when Syria requested Russia’s aid last year.
Over the weekend, Putin called President Donald Trump to wish him a happy birthday and offer Russia’s help in mediating between Iran and Israel after the latter country escalated tensions through targeted strikes. However, Cotton noted reports that Putin told Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei that “his own government might fall” if peace is not pursued, similar to what led to the Assad regime’s downfall.
Recommended Stories
- Russia offers to take enriched uranium from Iranian nuclear facilities
- Trump Mobile unveiled amid tariff threat against Apple and Samsung
- What to know about Vance Boelter, the suspected assassin in Minnesota
“Israel had weakened Hezbollah … which it propped up Bashar Assad’s regime in Syria,” Cotton explained on Fox News’s America’s Newsroom. “Syria had been a longtime client of Russia, and as rebels began to rampage across Syria, targeting Assad’s power, he asked for help from Putin. And what did Putin do? Nothing. He gave him a flight to Russia, and Assad’s tyranny finally fell. So once again, we shouldn’t be surprised to see that Putin doesn’t extend a hand to his friends in a time of need.”
Cotton then credited Israel’s “brilliant campaign” against Hezbollah and Hamas as a reason Syria allowed Israel to use its airspace to attack Iran. He contended that this “new day in the Middle East” was made possible by Israel’s “strength” following the Oct. 7 terrorist attack and Trump’s support for the country.
IRANIAN MILITARY INTELLIGENCE CHIEF AND HIS DEPUTY KILLED IN ISRAELI STRIKE
Trump revealed on Sunday that many meetings are being held between Israel and Iran, and peace between the two nations will be reached “soon.” Trump also confirmed that Putin offered to help mediate a peace deal between the Middle Eastern countries, which he said was “something I believe is going to get resolved.”
Amid rising tensions between Israel and Iran, Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) warned the latter country not to target the United States’s presence in the region. He warned that Iran would face “all of America’s might” if it attacked the U.S.