Putin denies seeking mediation role between Iran, Israel

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday said he was not seeking to be a mediator between Iran and Israel, and was only suggesting ideas for how the countries could resolve the escalating crisis.

The Kremlin has spent much of the week positioning Moscow as a potential peacemaker after Israel launched strikes on Iran, which retaliated with missiles and drones.

But Western leaders have pushed back on a role for Putin and earlier this week Moscow said Israel had shown little interest in its overtures.

“We are by no means seeking to act as a mediator, we are simply suggesting ideas,” Putin said at an economic forum in Saint Petersburg.

“If they turn out to be attractive to both sides, we will only be happy.”

While Moscow has condemned Israel’s strikes, Russia has not offered military help to its ally Iran and has downplayed its obligations under a sweeping strategic partnership agreement signed just months ago.

The Russian foreign ministry on Thursday warned the United States against “military intervention” in the conflict, as it weighs joining Israel’s strikes against Iran.