ISTANBUL

Russia’s Foreign Ministry on Sunday claimed that the United States and Israel are attempting to disrupt the process of normalizing relations between Iran and its Arab neighbors.

In a statement, the ministry expressed concern about the escalation of armed confrontation throughout the Middle East as a result of “US and Israeli aggression against Iran.”

“It has become clear that, in addition to regime change in Iran using the most unscrupulous means, such as assassinating the leadership of a sovereign state, Washington and Tel Aviv are attempting to disrupt the process of normalizing relations between Iran and its Arab neighbors,” the ministry said.

Moscow “strongly urged the parties” to abandon the use of force to resolve existing disagreements and to move toward a political and diplomatic settlement of any issues.

“The attack on a girls’ school in the Iranian city of Minab, which killed dozens of innocent children, deserves our strongest condemnation,” the ministry said.

“Any attacks on civilian targets -- whether in Iran or Arab countries -- are unacceptable and must be completely ruled out.”

The US and Israel launched an attack on Iran on Saturday, killing several top Iranian leaders, including Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Tehran retaliated with a series of drone and missile strikes targeting Israel, US assets, and several Gulf countries.