Moscow - Saba:
Russian Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Maria Zakharova announced that the strategic partnership agreement between Russia and Iran does not include the establishment of a defense alliance or the provision of mutual military assistance.
"The treaty does not provide for the establishment of a defense alliance or the provision of mutual military assistance," Zakharova told reporters at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum, according to Sputnik.
She added, "We are implementing everything we agreed upon with Iran. Therefore, our head of state is in intensive contact with the parties to the conflict, regional actors, and all interested parties."
Russian President Vladimir Putin confirmed on Friday that his country is in contact with both the Iranian and Israeli sides, against the backdrop of the conflict between Tehran and Tel Aviv after the latter carried out an attack on Iran.
Putin said during a plenary session on the sidelines of the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum, "As you know, we are in contact with both Israel and our Iranian friends. We have some proposals for our participation."
Putin indicated that Russia is not seeking to mediate a settlement to the conflict between Israel and Iran, but is putting forward its own ideas. He noted that it is possible to find solutions acceptable to Tehran and Tel Aviv to resolve the conflict, and that there is potential common ground for a settlement.