ByREUTERS
Updated:

Russian President Vladimir Putin and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu discussed the situation in the Middle East and Iran by phone on Friday, the Kremlin said.

Putin offered Netanyahu Russia's help in mediating regarding Iran, and told the Israeli leader he was "in favor of intensifying political and diplomatic efforts to ensure stability and security in the region," the Kremlin said.

In the conversation with Netanyahu, the Kremlin said Putin set out ideas for boosting stability in the Middle East and expressed Russia's willingness to "continue its mediation efforts and to promote constructive dialogue with the participation of all interested states."

RUSSIA’S PRESIDENT Vladimir Putin meets with Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit in Tianjin, China, last month. The bilateral partnership creates uncertainty for neighboring countries, the writer cautions.
RUSSIA’S PRESIDENT Vladimir Putin meets with Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit in Tianjin, China, last month. The bilateral partnership creates uncertainty for neighboring countries, the writer cautions. (credit: SPUTNIK/REUTERS)

Putin offers to mediate between Israel, Iran

Putin and his Iranian counterpart Masoud Pezeshkian called for a swift de-escalation of tensions in Iran and the wider region in a phone call later on Friday, the Kremlin said in a statement.

The two men confirmed their commitment to a 20-year strategic partnership agreement signed last year, which includes joint economic projects, it added.

Asked what support Russia could provide to Iran, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said: "Russia is already providing assistance not only to Iran but also to the entire region, and to the cause of regional stability and peace. This is partly thanks to the president's efforts to help de-escalate tensions."

This comes after reports from Israeli public broadcaster KAN News that Netanyahu sent a message to Iran through Putin, in which he assured that Israel has no intentions of going to war with the Islamic Republic, KAN News reported on Monday.

The report, which cited diplomatic sources, stated that Netanyahu called Putin to deliver the message for Iran after a recent rise in tensions between Tehran and Jerusalem.

The report also noted that Putin had already sent a similar message to the Ayatollah’s regime back in October, when he also assured that Israel was “not interested in an escalation.”

“We are continuing our talks with Israel and are receiving signals from the Israeli leadership with a request to convey to our Iranian friends a message that Israel is seeking a settlement and is not interested in any kind of conflict," Putin told Russian state news agency TASS last year.