By Mir Afroz Zaman

Russian President Vladimir Putin held a telephone conversation with Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and discussed the situation in the Middle East after the Israeli strike on the Iranian diplomatic mission in Damascus, the Kremlin said on Tuesday.

"The aggravated situation in the Middle East after the Israeli airstrike on the Iranian diplomatic mission in Damascus and the retaliatory measures taken by Iran were discussed in detail," the statement said. Putin expressed hope that all parties in the Middle East will show restraint and not allow for a new round of confrontation, the Kremlin said.

"In turn, Ebrahim Raisi noted that Iran's actions were forced and limited in nature. At the same time, he stressed Tehran's disinterest in further escalation of tensions," the statement read. Putin, Raisi Confirm Commitment to Further Cooperation President Putin and President Raisi have expressed mutual commitment to further develop bilateral cooperation.

"When exchanging views on current issues of Russian-Iranian relations, the sides expressed a mutual desire for the further progressive development of bilateral cooperation in various fields, including the implementation of mutually beneficial infrastructure projects," the Kremlin noted.

Both Leaders Confirm Stances in Favor of Immediate Ceasefire in Gaza The leaders have confirmed their stances in favor of an immediate ceasefire in the Gaza Strip and easing the humanitarian situation. "In this regard, the sides confirmed the principled approaches of Russia and Iran in favor of an immediate ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, alleviating the difficult humanitarian situation and creating conditions for a political and diplomatic settlement of the crisis," the Kremlin shared.

Putin spoke by phone with Iranian President Raisi, Kremlin says In a telephone conversation, the Iranian president noted that Iran's actions were forced and limited in nature, and stressed his country's disinterest in further escalation, the Kremlin said.