Putin voices support for Iran, urges diplomatic solution in call with Pezeshkian

Russian President Vladimir Putin held a telephone conversation Friday with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, during which he reaffirmed Moscow's principled position on the escalating regional crisis, the Kremlin announced. Putin extended renewed condolences for the killing of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, his family members, and top military officials in the ongoing US-Israeli strikes that began February 28.

Call for Restraint and Dialogue

The Kremlin statement emphasized that "Russia's principled position on the need for an immediate cessation of hostilities, the abandonment of forceful solutions to problems around Iran and throughout the Middle East, and a swift return to the path of political and diplomatic resolution was reaffirmed." Putin noted that he remains in constant contact with leaders of Gulf Cooperation Council countries as part of Moscow's efforts to manage the widening conflict.

Iranian Gratitude and Continued Contacts

Pezeshkian expressed gratitude for Russia's "solidarity with the Iranian people defending the sovereignty and independence of their homeland" and provided a detailed account of developments amid ongoing regional tensions. Both sides agreed to continue contacts through various channels. The call comes as the US-Israeli campaign has killed hundreds including Iran's supreme leader, with Tehran retaliating through drone and missile strikes targeting Israel and Gulf states hosting US assets.