Russia urges calm amid Putin’s call with Iran over US-Israeli tensions

In Moscow, Russian President Vladimir Putin spoke directly with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on Tuesday, discussing escalating tensions in the Middle East triggered by US-Israeli attacks against Iran. The Kremlin statement highlighted that both leaders exchanged views about regional developments and the crisis’s impact on stability.

Putin reaffirmed Russia’s commitment to resolving the conflict through political dialogue and de-escalation. According to the Kremlin’s account of their conversation, Pezeshkian acknowledged Russia’s humanitarian aid during heightened tensions in recent weeks. This marked their second call this month after an earlier exchange on March 6, as hostilities continued.

The Middle East has experienced a sharp increase in hostility since February 28, when Israel and the US conducted coordinated strikes against Iranian targets, resulting in over 1,300 deaths including Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. In response to these attacks, Iran launched retaliatory drone and missile assaults on Israeli territory and allied Gulf states housing American military bases.

Concerns about a wider regional conflict and market instability have prompted diplomatic efforts by several countries. Simultaneously, Russia’s top diplomat, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, engaged in discussions with Iranian officials, emphasizing Moscow’s support for de-escalation and reinvigorating dialogue through diplomacy.

Putin also held separate talks with US President Donald Trump the previous day, focusing on resolving both Iran conflicts and Ukraine disputes, underlining the need for a rapid political solution. Meanwhile, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov addressed media reports suggesting Russia might mediate Middle East tensions. He affirmed that since the crisis began, Putin had proposed various options to reduce tension and facilitate dialogue among all parties involved.

As this diplomatic round of negotiations continued, analysts observed the growing urgency to de-escalate hostilities and restore regional stability, with calls for dialogue between Iran and its adversaries becoming increasingly crucial.