Russian President Vladimir Putin has issued a warning to all sides in the Middle East, urging them to avoid actions that could lead to a new confrontation with catastrophic consequences for the region. Putin’s message comes in the wake of Iran’s retaliatory attack on Israel, following an Israeli strike on its Damascus consulate that resulted in the deaths of seven officers of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.
In a phone call with Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, Putin emphasized the need for restraint and highlighted the unresolved conflict between Palestinians and Israel as the root cause of instability in the region. Both leaders expressed their commitment to preventing further escalation of tensions and called for an immediate ceasefire in the Gaza Strip.
The Kremlin stated that Putin and Raisi reaffirmed their support for a political and diplomatic resolution to the crisis in the Middle East. The call also touched on the close ties between Russia and Iran, as well as their shared stance on the need for an independent Palestinian state within 1967 borders.
The growing partnerships between Russia, China, Iran, and North Korea have been identified as a significant challenge to the United States by top U.S. generals. Iran’s provision of ballistic missiles and drones to Russia has further heightened tensions in the region.
As the situation in the Middle East remains precarious, Putin’s call for restraint and diplomatic solutions underscores the need for all parties to prioritize peace and stability in the region.