US Monitors Russia's Wagner Group for Possible Anti-Aircraft Weapons Supply to Hezbollah Amid Israel Conflict

US fears escalation of Middle East conflict as intelligence suggests Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's involvement in potential weapons delivery to Hezbollah via Kremlin-controlled Wagner Group, amidst heightened ties between Russia and Iran.

US intelligence is closely monitoring the Wagner Group, a Kremlin-controlled mercenary organization, suspected of planning to provide the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah with advanced air-defense systems.
The anti-aircraft weapons, known as Pantsir-S1 or SA-22, could potentially be used against US or Israeli aircraft, escalating the ongoing conflicts in the Middle East.
The proposed arms supply reportedly follows a recent visit by senior Hamas leaders to Moscow, intensifying concerns around Russia's support for Middle Eastern terrorist groups.
Political conversations and actions among Russian President Vladimir Putin, Iran, and Syria reveal a larger strategy aimed at supporting foes of the West to further Russia's geopolitical goals.
The potential arms supply to Hezbollah comes amid heightened tensions and conflicts in the Middle East, including Israel's ongoing campaign against Hamas, backed by Iran, in Gaza.