Amid rising tensions in the Middle East, Russian President Vladimir Putin has offered to mediate between Iran and Israel in a bid to avert a broader military conflict following Israel’s recent airstrikes on Iranian territory.
According to international reports, President Putin held separate telephone conversations with Iranian President Masoud Peshkerian and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, calling for restraint and emphasizing the urgent need for diplomatic dialogue.
During his discussion with the Iranian leader, Putin strongly condemned Israel’s actions, describing them as “unprovoked” and in violation of the United Nations Charter. He also extended condolences for the lives lost in the Israeli attack on Tehran.
“The Russian Federation condemns Israel’s conduct, which contradicts international legal norms,” Putin reportedly stated during the call.
In his conversation with Prime Minister Netanyahu, Putin urged a return to diplomatic efforts, particularly concerning Iran’s nuclear programme. He stressed that a peaceful resolution could only be achieved through political negotiations.
“Dialogue is the only path forward in addressing the concerns surrounding Iran’s nuclear activities,” said the Russian president, according to a Kremlin summary.
This mediation initiative by Russia comes at a critical moment, as fears grow that the intensifying hostilities between Iran and Israel could trigger a wider regional war.
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov earlier expressed serious concern over the developments, warning that the Israeli strikes jeopardized ongoing diplomatic efforts led by Western powers to resolve the nuclear issue.
“These unprovoked attacks have severely damaged diplomatic momentum aimed at easing tensions over Iran’s nuclear file,” Peskov remarked.
Despite the hostile backdrop, Russia has managed to maintain diplomatic relations with both Tehran and Tel Aviv, allowing Moscow to position itself as a potential intermediary. The Kremlin confirmed it will continue engaging with both parties in the coming days to encourage de-escalation.
As of now, neither the Israeli nor Iranian governments have publicly responded to the Russian mediation offer. However, diplomatic insiders suggest that informal backchannel discussions may already be in progress in a bid to contain the crisis.
