Moscow, Russia. The Kremlin said on Monday that Russia was in constant contact with the Iranian leadership about what it called “outright aggression” against Tehran and was deeply disappointed by how events had unfolded.
Kremlin reaction to U.S. strikes
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Russia was analysing the situation and drawing its own conclusions after Washington opted to launch strikes at Iran despite what Moscow thought had looked like promising talks.
“As for the negotiations mediated by Oman between the United States and Iran, we can certainly express our deep disappointment that, despite reports of significant progress in these negotiations, the situation has nevertheless deteriorated into outright aggression,” Peskov told reporters.
Putin and foreign ministry statements
Russian President Vladimir Putin on Sunday condemned the killing of Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei as a “cynical” murder, and the Russian Foreign Ministry accused the U.S. and Israel of plunging the Middle East “into an abyss of uncontrolled escalation.”
Planned phone call and regional contacts
Peskov said Putin was due to make an Iran-related international phone call later on Monday but did not disclose to whom.
“I can only say that we are in constant contact with the Iranian leadership and are discussing the situation surrounding that country. At the same time, we are continuing our dialogue with the leadership of the countries affected by the conflict, including the Persian Gulf states,” Peskov said.
What impact do you think the latest developments will have on diplomacy in the region?
