
Putin Tells Netanyahu Issues Surrounding Iran's Nuclear Program Must Be Solved Through Diplomacy
Russian President Vladimir Putin, in separate telephone conversations on Friday, told Iran's president that Moscow condemned Israel's actions against Tehran and told Israel's prime minister that questions around Iran's nuclear program could only be solved through diplomacy.
A Kremlin statement said Putin told Iran's Masoud Pezeshkian that Russia "condemns the actions of Israel taken in violation of the UN Charter" and expressed condolences for those killed.
The statement said Putin, in his conversation with Israel's Benjamin Netanyahu "stressed the importance of a return to the process of talks and resolution of all issues concerning Iran's nuclear program strictly through political and diplomatic means".
The Kremlin statement said Russia would remain in close contact with both Iran and Israel.

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Arab News
29 minutes ago
- Arab News
Jordan reopens airspace after overnight Israel-Iran attacks
AMMAN: Jordan announced the reopening of its airspace Sunday morning after a night of attacks by arch-foes Israel and Iran. The civil aviation authority in Jordan, which borders Israel, said in a statement that the country's airspace had been reopened 'for civilian flights following a careful risk assessment.' The kingdom had closed the airspace late Saturday, its second closure since the start of the most intense direct confrontation between Israel and Iran.


Arab News
35 minutes ago
- Arab News
Israel's goal might be regime change in Iran: Experts
CHICAGO: Israel's military assault against Iran could continue for weeks, with the possible goal of regime change, a panel of experts hosted by the Middle East Institute said on Saturday. Panelists included retired Gen. Joseph L. Votel, former commander of US Central Command; retired Vice Adm. Kevin Donegan, former commander of the US Navy's Fifth Fleet; and Alex Vatanka, MEI senior fellow and Iran specialist who also teaches at the Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Ohio. Vatanka said it is too early to determine if Israel's main goal besides crippling Iran's nuclear program is regime change, but 'we might be going in (that) direction.' He added: 'That's certainly what I think a majority of Iranian officials think that Israel wants. The big unknown in all of this is whether the Israelis somehow can get (US President Donald) Trump to buy into it the way he bought into the initial attack on Iran.' Israel has launched attacks against an array of Iranian targets, including its military leadership and nuclear program. Tehran has responded by launching missiles and drones at Israel. The panelists were in agreement in their belief that the conflict would not expand to include other countries. Iran's leadership will define victory as being its 'survival,' Vatanka said, adding that while Israel has the backing of the US and 'most of Europe,' Tehran 'isn't getting any help from anyone.' He said: 'I don't think they're getting help from what's left of the axis of resistance … I question what the axis of resistance members can actually do at this point.' Its members include Hamas and Hezbollah, which have been severely weakened by Israel's military, and the Houthis in Yemen. It included Syria until the fall of President Bashar Assad in December. Donegan said: 'I think the question is, does Iran think they've done enough in terms of lashing back that they can throw an olive branch to get some talks going again? I think it's a long shot, to be honest, that they'll come to the table in the near future.' Iran could close the Strait of Hormuz, but 'the problem with closing Hormuz is they then don't get the economic benefit of flowing their oil out,' he added. The end game will be defined by how far Israel intends to go with its war, the panelists said. 'The Americans are playing the good cop here. President Trump has kept the door for diplomacy open,' Vatanka said. 'The Israelis are playing the bad cop, saying, 'If you don't give Trump what he wants then we'll come after you.''


Arab News
35 minutes ago
- Arab News
Gulf markets slump on escalation in Israel-Iran conflict
LONDON: Stock markets in the Gulf tumbled in early trade on Sunday as conflict escalated between Israel and Iran, sparking fears of broader Middle East conflict. Israel and Iran launched fresh attacks on each other overnight into Sunday. Israel said it had targeted Iran's nuclear facilities, ballistic missile factories and military commanders on Friday at the start of what it warned would be a prolonged operation to prevent Tehran from building an atomic weapon. Iran has promised a harsh response. Tehran has called off nuclear talks that the United States had said were the only way to halt Israel's bombing. The Qatari stock market index slid 4 percent, with all constituents in negative territory. Among them was Qatar National Bank, the Gulf's biggest lender, which retreated 3.3 percent. Saudi Arabia's benchmark index plunged 3.6 percent as stocks fell across sectors, while the Kuwait bourse lost 3 percent and the Bahrain index eased by 0.8 percent. Elsewhere, the Muscat Stock Exchange registered a 1.9 percent fall.