Iran’s president urged Russian support against US-Israeli attacks, while Putin called for a diplomatic resolution.
Key Takeaways
- Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian described US-Israeli attacks as “aggressive” during a phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
- The Kremlin said Putin reaffirmed Russia’s position, calling for an immediate ceasefire.
- Pezeshkian asked Russia to support Iran’s “legitimate rights in the face of aggression.”
- Moscow warned the conflict could destabilize the Middle East and impact global energy markets.
- Russia has previously offered to mediate between Iran and Israel.
Iran Seeks Russian Support as War Escalates
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian called on Russia to support Tehran’s position in the war during a telephone conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin, according to statements from both governments.
According to the Iranian presidency, Pezeshkian described the US-Israeli attacks against Iran as “aggressive.” He told Putin that Iran’s actions targeting US bases in neighboring countries were defensive.
“Targeting American bases in neighboring countries is a purely defensive measure,” Pezeshkian said, according to Iranian state media.
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He also urged Moscow to back Tehran diplomatically. According to Iranian media reports, Pezeshkian asked Russia to support “Iran’s legitimate rights in the face of aggression.”
The Iranian president also criticized Israel over the assassination of Iran’s Supreme Leader.
According to the Iranian presidency statement, Pezeshkian said that “the assassination of the Supreme Leader was a cowardly act and violated all international rules.”
He further accused Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of launching the attack despite prior assurances.
Iranian media reported that Pezeshkian told Putin that Netanyahu had previously informed Moscow that Israel did not intend to attack Iran.
Putin Calls for Diplomacy
In its own statement, the Kremlin confirmed the phone call and reiterated Russia’s position on the conflict.
The Kremlin said that Putin expressed support for “an immediate ceasefire in Iran.”
According to the Kremlin readout, Russia reaffirmed “its principled position on the need for an immediate cessation of hostilities.”
Putin also urged a diplomatic solution. The Kremlin said he called for “a return to the path of political and diplomatic settlement.”
Russia has repeatedly warned about the broader consequences of the war. Speaking earlier this week, Putin said the conflict was already affecting global energy markets.
According to Reuters news agency, Putin said rising oil and gas prices were being driven by tensions in the Middle East.
“No one has cut supplies, but prices have risen sharply due to the general situation in global markets, including the oil and gas markets,” Putin said in a press statement.
Russia has also discussed the conflict with other regional leaders.
According to the Kremlin press office, Putin spoke with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman earlier this week, with both leaders expressing concern about the escalation.
The Kremlin said the conversation “discussed in detail the escalating tensions in the Middle East as a result of the US-Israeli armed aggression against Iran.”
The Saudi crown prince also suggested that Russia could play a role in stabilizing the region, according to the Kremlin statement.
(PC, Iranian Presidency, Kremlin, Reuters, TASS, Associated Press)
Israel loving Putin worming his way into Iranian affairs through the ‘liberal’ flunky Pezeshkian. This would not be happening if Raisi were still around. His murder, and that of his foreign minister, still not explained. The upside of this is the IRGC and Ali Larajini will not put up with it. Putin can keep his Ukraine fiasco and the decimation of Slavic men on both sides to himself, until Russian patriots finally relieve him from his efforts, permanently.