This work by Middle East Monitor is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.

Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov on Monday discussed the situation in the Middle East with his Iranian counterpart Abbas Aragchi over the phone, according to an official statement, Anadolu reports.

The contact took place at the initiative of the Iranian side, Russia’s Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

“The situation in the Persian Gulf zone, which has deteriorated dramatically as a result of the aggression of the US and Israel, was discussed,” the ministry said.

Lavrov said US-Israeli strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities, including Bushehr, are unacceptable, as they threaten Russian personnel and pose catastrophic environmental risks for the region, it added.

“Mutual concern was expressed over the dangerous spread of the conflict provoked by Washington and Tel Aviv to the Caspian Sea area,” the statement read.

READ: Russia says attacks on Iran’s uranium enrichment facilities violate international law

The Russian side emphasized the need for an immediate cessation of hostilities and a political settlement that takes into account the legitimate interests of all involved parties, primarily Iran, it said.

“Russia will be guided by this position in the UN Security Council as well,” the statement read.

Aragchi thanked the Russian leadership for the significant diplomatic and other support provided to Iran, including the delivery of humanitarian aid, it added.

Regional escalation in the Middle East has intensified since the joint attacks by the US and Israel on Iran on Feb. 28, killing so far over 1,340 people, including then-Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.

Iran has retaliated with drone and missile strikes targeting Israel, along with Jordan, Iraq, and Gulf countries hosting US military assets, causing casualties and damage to infrastructure while disrupting global markets and aviation.

READ: Trump pauses strikes on Iran’s energy infrastructure for 5 days after ‘productive’ talks

• Trump says if deal is reached, US will take Iran’s enriched uranium
• Germany backs EU sanctions amid Israeli settler pogroms in the West Bank
• Israeli opposition leader says Israel must continue Iran war even if US withdraws
• Russian, Iranian foreign ministers discuss Middle East crisis in phone call
• UAE signals war footing against Iran as Gulf focus shifts beyond ceasefire
• Trump pauses strikes on Iran’s energy infrastructure for 5 days after ‘productive’ talks
• Iranian missiles strike central Israel amid interception challenges
• Palestinian data highlights surge in raids, arrests and settler violence
• Illegal Israeli settlers attack Palestinians in 13 locations across occupied West Bank
• Hezbollah: We will force Lebanese government to reverse ban on our military activities
• Iran warns regional infrastructure will be targeted if its facilities are attacked
• Israel imposes flight restrictions at Ben Gurion Airport
• Trump calls Israeli President Herzog ‘weak and pathetic’ for not pardoning Netanyahu
• Yemen’s Houthis warns of action as regional tensions escalate
• Iran says US and Israel responsible for any escalation
• US says Iran war may last longer than planned: Report
• America’s Proxy War Expands: The Strait of Hormuz and Israel’s Hidden Agenda
• Iran says Strait of Hormuz ‘open,’ but ships fear passage
• Iran’s Strike Near Dimona Raises Old Questions About Israel’s Nuclear Secrets
• Israel’s destruction of infrastructure in southern Lebanon could precede ground invasion, warns Lebanese president
• Water on the brink: A warning to the Gulf in an age of American militarism
• Iran war strategy: Peace Through Resistance
• Iran warns regional energy infrastructure will be ‘legitimate targets’ if own facilities hit
• UK dismisses Israel’s claim that Iran could hit London
• Iran “Gone Wild” in Dimona: Is Tehran Using Israel-US Madman Doctrine?
• BBC “imposed restrictions” on its journalists during coverage of the Gaza war, UK Court hears
• UN nuclear watchdog says no damage detected at Israeli nuclear center after Iran strike
• Iran denies responsibility for missile attacks on Diego Garcia