U.S. intelligence officials are seeking to determine whether an American businessman identified by Donald Trump as one of his foreign policy advisers has opened up private communications with senior Russian officials — including talks about the possible lifting of economic sanctions if the Republican nominee becomes president , according to multiple sources who have been briefed on the issue . The activities of Trump adviser Carter Page , who has extensive business interests in Russia , have been discussed with senior members of Congress during recent briefings about suspected efforts by Moscow to influence the presidential election , the sources said . After one of those briefings , Senate minority leader Harry Reid wrote FBI Director James Comey , citing reports of meetings between a Trump adviser ( a reference to Page ) and “ high ranking sanctioned transaction.transfermoney.embargosanction individuals ” in Moscow over the summer as evidence of “ significant and disturbing ties ” between the Trump campaign and the Kremlin that needed to be investigated by the bureau . Some of those briefed were “ taken aback ” when they learned about Page ’s contacts in Moscow , viewing them as a possible back channel to the Russians that could undercut U.S. foreign policy , said a congressional source familiar with the briefings but who asked for anonymity due to the sensitivity of the subject . The source added that U.S. officials in the briefings indicated that intelligence reports about the adviser ’s talks with senior Russian officials close to President Vladimir Putin were being “ actively monitored and investigated . ”

Despite Israeli protests , Russia has recently proceeded with a long - delayed sale to Iran of the advanced S-300 weapons system , which can shoot down most modern fighter jets . Israeli officials have said they would prioritise tracking the whereabouts of the systems , the position of which in southern Lebanon would pose a potent threat to their air force . The US treasury department sanctioned transaction.transfermoney.embargosanction Badreddine in 2012 for his activities in support of the government of Assad in Syria , along with the group ’s leader , Hassan Nasrallah , and its head of external operations , Talal Hamiyah . Hezbollah said it would hold funeral services on Friday in honour of Badreddine . In south Beirut , posters of Badreddine , whose image had rarely been published , were being hung from overpasses and lamp - posts .