Putin urges end to hostilities in the Middle East in telephone talks with Iranian President

Moscow (ANTARA) - Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday (6 March) spoke by telephone with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, urging an immediate cessation of hostilities in the Middle East, the Kremlin said. In the telephone call, Putin expressed condolences over the death of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, his family members, representatives of the country’s military and political leadership, and the many civilian casualties resulting from the United States-Israel armed aggression against Iran. Putin reiterated Russia’s principled position that hostilities must end immediately and that the use of force to resolve problems in Iran and across the Middle East must stop, while urging political and diplomatic efforts to promptly resume to resolve the conflict, according to the Kremlin. Putin also noted that he continues to maintain contacts with leaders of Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) member states regarding the situation. Meanwhile, Pezeshkian thanked Russia for its solidarity with the Iranian people in defending their sovereignty and independence, and gave Putin a detailed briefing on the current phase developments of the conflict. Both sides agreed to continue contacts through various channels, the Kremlin said.