The Kremlin, in a statement, relayed Putin's hopes for all parties to exercise "reasonable restraint" to avert a fresh wave of confrontations that could have disastrous implications for the entire region.
The statement was released following a conversation between Putin and Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi. As per the translation provided by The Moscow Times, Raisi underscored that Iran's actions were compelled and limited, emphasizing Tehran's lack of interest in further escalating tensions. Both leaders concurred that the unresolved Palestinian-Israeli conflict is the root cause of the current turmoil in the Middle East.
The Kremlin's statement further confirmed Russia and Iran's shared stance advocating for an immediate ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, alleviation of the dire humanitarian situation, and the creation of conditions conducive to a political and diplomatic resolution of the crisis. The call also extensively discussed the airstrike on Iran’s consulate in Damascus.
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In retaliation for strikes against its diplomatic mission, or as some reports suggest, an adjoining Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) compound in Damascus, Iran launched hundreds of drones and a combination of cruise and ballistic missiles on Saturday night. The strike resulted in the death of seven IRGC members, including Gen. Mohammad Reza Zahedi, the senior commander of the forces since the assassination of Gen. Qasem Soleimani in 2020.
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While Israel has not claimed responsibility for the strike, other nations, including the United States, have attributed the attack to the Jewish state. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu initially intended to retaliate directly, but he altered his plans following President Biden's advice to "take the win" and his emphasis that the U.S. would not support any direct response to Iran’s strike. Consequently, Israel targeted Hezbollah sites in southern Lebanon.
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Despite this, Israel continues to express its intent to retaliate against Iran. Israeli Minister of Defense Yoav Gallant informed U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin that Israel had no alternative but to respond. Gen. Herzi Halevi, the Chief of Staff of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), stated that "Israel is considering next steps" and that "the launch of so many missiles and drones to Israeli territory will be answered with retaliation," as reported by Axios.
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This insistence on retaliation, despite pressure from Israel’s closest and arguably most crucial ally, continues to alarm the international community. United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres warned during a Security Council meeting that the Middle East is teetering on the brink of a devastating full-scale conflict, urging for immediate de-escalation.
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President Biden has been intensifying his efforts to broker a ceasefire deal, assuring Iraq’s prime minister of the U.S.'s commitment to a ceasefire that would bring the hostages home and prevent the conflict from spreading further. "The United States is committed to Israel’s security," the President said, according to a readout of the phone call. White House national security communications spokesperson John Kirby reiterated that the President is "certainly not looking for a war with Iran, and I am confident that Prime Minister Netanyahu is aware of the President’s concerns."
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