Russian President Vladimir Putin held a phone conversation with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on Friday, urging an immediate end to hostilities in the Middle East.
The Kremlin said the two leaders discussed the ongoing conflict and agreed to maintain close coordination as the regional crisis deepens.
During the call, Putin reaffirmed Russia’s principled stance that the war in the Middle East must end immediately.
According to the Kremlin, Putin stressed that the use of force should be abandoned in resolving issues related to Iran and the wider region. He urged all parties to return swiftly to political and diplomatic solutions instead of military escalation.
The Russian president emphasized that problems around Iran and across the Middle East must be addressed through dialogue and diplomacy rather than armed confrontation.
Condolences over death of Supreme Leader
Putin also expressed heartfelt condolences over the killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, as well as the deaths of members of his family.
He further conveyed sympathy for the loss of representatives of Iran’s military and political leadership and the numerous civilian casualties caused by what Russia described as US-Israeli armed aggression against Iran.
The Kremlin said Russia feels deep sorrow over the loss of lives resulting from the ongoing attacks.
Support for Iran’s sovereignty
During the conversation, Putin reaffirmed Russia’s full support for Iran’s sovereignty, independence, and freedom. The Russian president emphasized Moscow’s long-standing position that regional stability can only be achieved through peaceful engagement and respect for national sovereignty.
The Kremlin statement noted that Putin has also remained in constant contact with leaders of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries as tensions across the region continue to rise.
Iran thanks Russia for solidarity
For his part, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian expressed gratitude to Russia for its support during the crisis. He thanked Moscow for its solidarity with the Iranian people in defending the sovereignty and independence of their homeland.
Pezeshkian also briefed Putin in detail on developments during the current active phase of the conflict, providing an update on the situation as tensions continue to escalate across the region.
The Kremlin said both leaders agreed to maintain constant communication through various channels as the situation evolves.
The leadership of the two countries also decided to continue consultations in light of the changing global and regional situation, reflecting the growing strategic coordination between Moscow and Tehran.
Escalating conflict in Middle East
Regional tensions have intensified since the United States and Israel launched large-scale attacks on Iran last Saturday. The strikes reportedly killed hundreds of people, including Iran’s Supreme Leader and several senior military officials.
In response, Tehran launched drone and missile attacks targeting Israel as well as Arab countries hosting U.S. military assets, further widening the conflict and raising fears of a broader regional war.
