Russian President Vladimir Putin held a phone conversation with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and urged an immediate halt to the ongoing fighting in West Asia.

In a statement released on Friday, the Kremlin said Putin reiterated Moscow’s stance that the conflict should end quickly and that diplomatic solutions must replace military actions.

The statement noted that Putin again conveyed condolences to Iran over the killing of its Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and members of his family.

“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.

Russia stresses diplomatic solution

According to the Kremlin, Russia continues to push for political negotiations rather than military escalation in the region.

The statement also highlighted that Putin has been maintaining regular communication with leaders of countries belonging to the Gulf Cooperation Council.

These contacts are part of Moscow’s effort to keep diplomatic channels open and encourage a peaceful resolution to the growing crisis.

Iran thanks Russia for support

During the conversation, President Pezeshkian thanked Russia for standing with the Iranian people. He expressed gratitude for Moscow’s backing during the conflict and praised Russia’s support for Iran’s sovereignty. Pezeshkian thanked Putin for Russia’s “solidarity with the Iranian people defending the sovereignty and independence of their homeland.”

The Iranian president also briefed the Russian leader on the latest developments as tensions continue to rise in the region.

Putin condemns killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader

Putin strongly criticised the killing of Ali Khamenei, calling it a “cynical murder”. He said the attack violated both human morality and international law.

Putin slammed the military operations carried out by the United States and Israel inside Iran. Earlier, the Kremlin had published a letter sent by Putin to President Pezeshkian following Khamenei’s assassination.

“Please accept my deep condolences in connection with the murder of the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Syed Ali Khamenei, and members of his family, committed in cynical violation of all norms of human morality and international law,” Putin says in a note to Iranian counterpart Masoud Pezeshkian.

Lavrov and Araghchi discuss regional tensions

At the same time, Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov spoke with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi over the phone to review the situation in West Asia.

During the discussion, both ministers said the recent military actions by the United States and Israel against Iran weaken the core principles of international law.

Lavrov reiterated Moscow’s position that the conflict must de-escalate and that political negotiations should replace military confrontation.

He also said Russia is willing to mediate between the parties involved in order to prevent the conflict from expanding further.