Putin, UAE leader call for swift end to Israel-Iran hostilities

On June 18, Russian President Vladimir Putin and UAE President Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan held a phone conversation to address the rapidly deteriorating situation in the Middle East, driven by missile exchanges between Israel and Iran.

The Kremlin press service announced the development, saying that the dialogue was initiated by the Emirati side, according to Caliber.Az.

The leaders expressed "deep concern" over the ongoing escalation of the Iran-Israel conflict, which "carries the most negative consequences for the entire region."

“The imperative of a swift cessation of hostilities and the intensification of political and diplomatic efforts to resolve contentious issues surrounding Iran’s nuclear program was emphasised,” the Kremlin said.

The Russian president confirmed his readiness to provide mediation efforts for dialogue between Iran and Israel.

Putin noted that the Russian side agrees to keep foreign leaders informed about the contacts made within the framework of the settlement. 

The phone call comes amid a sharp escalation in the Iran-Israel conflict, which intensified on June 13, when Israel launched Operation Rising Lion, targeting Iranian nuclear facilities, military sites, and key personnel, including high-ranking generals and scientists. The strikes, which Israel claimed were aimed at disrupting Iran’s nuclear program, killed several Iranian officials and prompted Tehran to retaliate with drone and missile attacks on Israeli targets.

The situation remained tense through June 18, with ongoing exchanges of fire, including reports of a major explosion near Iran’s Parchin military plant and Iran’s use of hypersonic Fattah missiles against Israel.

By Khagan Isayev