Putin 'condemns' Israel's actions in Iran, says violates UN Charter

Russian President Vladimir Putin told Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian that he "condemns the actions of Israel taken in violation of the UN Charter" and expressed condolences for those killed, in a call on Friday, according to a Kremlin statement.

In a separate call with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Friday, Putin told him that questions around Iran's nuclear programme could only be solved through diplomacy, and "stressed the importance of a return to the process of talks and resolution... strictly through political and diplomatic means".

The Russian foreign ministry also released a statement, saying: "Unprovoked military strikes against a sovereign member state of the United Nations, against its citizens, peaceful cities, and critical nuclear energy infrastructure facilities, are totally unacceptable".

"It is evident that West Jerusalem has made a deliberate decision to further escalate the situation and raise stakes. The full responsibility for the consequences of these provocative acts lies with the Israeli leadership."

It urged the international community to "not ignore such acts" which undermine peace and security globally.