Putin Denounces Israeli Attacks on Iran and Offers Mediation to Avert Escalation

Russian President Vladimir Putin has criticized Israel’s series of strikes on Iran, according to a statement from the Kremlin on Friday. This followed individual phone conversations with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian.

The Kremlin communicated that Putin «emphasized Russia’s condemnation of Israel’s actions, which breach the UN Charter and international law.»

Additionally, he expressed to Netanyahu his «willingness to offer mediation services to avert a further escalation of tensions.»

The statement also highlighted Russia’s dedication to «resolving the ongoing situation, which poses severe risks for the entire region.»

Earlier on the same day, Russia had denounced the Israeli attacks on its ally, Iran.

“Unprovoked military actions against a sovereign UN member state, its inhabitants, peaceful urban centers, and nuclear facilities are entirely unacceptable,” stated the Russian Foreign Ministry.

“The global community cannot ignore such acts of aggression, which jeopardize peace and threaten both regional and international security,” the ministry added.

“It is particularly cynical that these Israeli strikes occurred during an IAEA Board of Governors meeting and just before another round of indirect negotiations between Iran and the United States,” it noted.

The Russian Embassy in Israel strongly advised its citizens against traveling to the country and recommended that those already present consider leaving if feasible.

Russian diplomatic missions in Iran and Egypt also issued travel warnings, urging caution amid concerns of additional Israeli strikes and potential retaliatory actions by Iran.

Several major Russian airlines, including Aeroflot and Red Wings, announced the cancellation of flights and rerouting of services across the Middle East on Thursday due to safety issues and airspace restrictions.

Following this, Russia’s civil aviation authority, Rosaviatsia, prohibited the country’s airlines from entering the airspace over Israel, Iraq, Iran, and Jordan until June 26.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that the overnight operation, referred to as “Rising Lion,” was intended to “reduce the Iranian threat to Israel’s very existence,” and cautioned that the offensive might extend over “many days.”

Reporting contributions were made by AFP.