April 17, 2024 (EIRNS)—Russian President Vladimir Putin and Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi “discussed in detail the situation in the Middle East, escalated by Israel’s air strike at the Iranian diplomatic mission in Damascus and Iran’s retaliation measures,” by phone yesterday. “Vladimir Putin expressed hope that all sides will exercise sensible restraint and will not allow a new round of confrontation that may be fraught with disastrous consequences for the entire region,” the Kremlin readout reported. “In turn, Ebrahim Raisi noted that Iran’s actions had been forced and limited. At the same time, he emphasized that Tehran is not interested in further escalation of tensions.”
“Both leaders stated that the unresolved Palestinian-Israeli conflict was the root cause of the current developments in the Middle East,” it continued. “The Presidents confirmed Russia and Iran’s principled stance in favor of immediate ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, alleviation of the grievous humanitarian situation and creation of conditions for a political and diplomatic settlement of the crisis.”
Raisi had also spoken to Qatar’s Emir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani on Monday, April 15. According to an account in the Times of Israel, Raisi told Al Thani: “We firmly declare that the slightest action against Iran’s interests will definitely be met with a severe, extensive and painful response.” Deputy Foreign Minister Ali Bagheri Kani also spoke late Monday, saying that Israel would face a “resolute and hard response” if it takes further action against Iran. In the April 14 attack on Israel, Iran said it had advised the U.S. and others 72 hours in advance. “There will not be a 12 or 13-day gap between a Zionist regime move and Iran’s powerful response anymore. The Zionists must now reckon in seconds, not hours,” Kani said.
