ISTANBUL

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday reaffirmed his country’s position on regional tensions in the Middle East during a phone call with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian.

A statement by the Kremlin said that Putin reiterated his condolences over the death of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, as well as his family members and top military officials.

“Russia's principled position on the need for an immediate cessation of hostilities, the abandonment of forceful solutions to problems around Iran and throughout the Middle East, and a swift return to the path of political and diplomatic resolution was reaffirmed,” the statement said.

It further said that Putin is in constant contact with the leaders of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries.

The statement went on to say that Pezeshkian, for his part, expressed gratitude for Russia's “solidarity with the Iranian people defending the sovereignty and independence of their homeland.”

It added that the Iranian president provided a detailed account of the developments amid ongoing regional tensions, and that the two sides agreed to continue contacts through “various channels.”

Tensions have been escalating across the region since the US and Israel launched large-scale attacks on Iran on Saturday, killing hundreds, including Iran’s supreme leader and top military officials.

Tehran has responded with drone and missile strikes targeting Israel as well as Gulf countries, which are home to US assets.