Russia has urged an immediate ceasefire in the Middle East amid a spiraling war following US-Israeli strikes on Iran and Tehran’s retaliatory strikes across the region.
The Russian foreign ministry stated that it is concerned that the military campaign, which it described as “aggression by the US and Israel,” is expanding across the region.
The foreign ministry suggested that the conflict is not only about regime change, but also an attempt to cause the “collapse” of normalizing relations between Tehran and its Arab neighbors.
The statement called for an immediate ceasefire and condemned the strike on a girl’s school in the Iranian city of Minab, which resulted in the deaths of children.
Also, Russian President Vladimir Putin spoke separately with four key leaders of Persian Gulf states.
According to the Kremlin, Putin told UAE President Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan that Moscow has worked to promote a peaceful resolution on Iran’s nuclear program and to find “mutually acceptable compromises.” The Kremlin said,“Both sides emphasized the necessity to cease hostilities and return to a political and diplomatic process.”
He also thanked the UAE for supporting Russian nationals in country.
Qatar’s Emir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, also had a phone conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin. According to a statement from the Emir’s office, Sheikh Tamim thanked Putin after the President expressed Russia’s solidarity with Qatar following Iran’s attacks and its readiness to provide any support or assistance.
The two leaders also discussed regional developments and stressed the importance of intensifying diplomatic efforts to reduce tensions and maintain regional security and stability. The Russian President also spoke with the King of Bahrain.
In calling for an immediate ceasefire, Moscow also signaled its view that urgent diplomatic intervention is required to prevent a wider war. Russian officials have warned in the past that military escalation in the Middle East carries unpredictable consequences, including disruptions to global energy markets and heightened insecurity in neighboring regions.
The exchange of strikes between the United States, Israel, and Iran marks a significant intensification of tensions that have simmered for years. Iran’s retaliatory actions underscore its willingness to respond directly to attacks on its territory, while Washington and Tel Aviv have framed their strikes as addressing security threats. Against this backdrop, Russia’s demand for a ceasefire seeks to halt a cycle of action and reaction that risks spiraling further.
As the situation develops, the international community is closely monitoring whether diplomatic channels can be activated quickly enough to contain the crisis. Russia’s appeal underscores the urgency of such efforts, warning implicitly that delay could make de-escalation more difficult.
By calling for a ceasefire amid spiraling violence, Russia has sought to position itself as an advocate for stability at a moment when the Middle East faces one of its most dangerous escalations in recent years.
Putin Warns Of Regional Conflict In Calls With Gulf Leaders
After Putin’s conversation with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the Kremlin said “both sides expressed serious concern about the real risk of the expansion of the conflict zone, which has already affected the territories of a number of Arab countries and is fraught with catastrophic consequences.”
Putin stressed the need for diplomacy to address an “extremely dangerous situation,” while the Crown Prince said that Moscow could play a stabilizing role thanks to its good relations with both Iran and the gulf countries.
The Kremlin said Putin and the Qatari Emir Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani voiced concern about the conflict widening and drawing in third countries and expressed hope for a “rapid de-escalation” of hostilities.
Russia has repeatedly condemned the US and Israeli strikes and the killing of Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
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