Putin Calls Iran, Israel Leaders on Mideast De-escalation

Russian President Vladimir Putin held separate phone calls on Friday with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, as ongoing protests in Iran heightened tensions across the Middle East and raised fears of potential U.S. military involvement.

In the conversation with Pezeshkian, the Iranian leader updated Putin on Tehran's efforts to restore order amid the unrest, which erupted late last month over economic hardships including soaring inflation and the rapid devaluation of the rial. The two presidents emphasized the need for swift de-escalation of tensions in Iran and the broader region through political and diplomatic channels alone. They also reaffirmed their commitment to deepening the strategic partnership between Russia and Iran, including advancing joint economic initiatives. This partnership was formalized in a 20-year agreement signed during Pezeshkian's visit to Moscow last January.

Putin similarly stressed diplomacy in his discussion with Netanyahu, outlining Russia's position in support of intensified political efforts to promote stability and security in the Middle East. The Kremlin stated that Moscow remains ready to...