Putin Calls Iran’s Pezeshkian After Khamenei Assassination, Urges Ceasefire as Reports Say Russia Shared Intelligence With Tehran
Russian President Vladimir Putin held a telephone conversation with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on March 6 as the war between Iran, the United States and Israel has entered a dangerous new phase following the assassination of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Image Source: MFA Russia According to a statement released by the Kremlin , Putin expressed condolences over Khamenei’s killing and the deaths of members of Iran’s political and military leadership as well as civilians during what Moscow described as Israeli-American military aggression against Iran. During the call, Putin stated Russia’s position that hostilities must end immediately and that disputes surrounding Iran and the wider Middle East should be resolved through political and diplomatic means rather than military force. The Russian leader said he has been in continuous contact with leaders of Gulf Cooperation Council states amid the escalating crisis, signalling Moscow’s attempt to position...