Russia and Turkey demand end to Israel-Iran hostilities

Russian President Vladimir Putin and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan on Monday, June 16, 2025,  held a phone conversation during which both leaders jointly called for an immediate halt to the escalating military conflict between Israel and Iran, according to a statement released by the Kremlin.

The hour-long discussion, as disclosed by sources close to both countries, described by Russian officials as focused and constructive, emphasized the urgency of ending the hostilities and avoiding further destabilization in the region.

Both presidents advocated for diplomatic engagement as the only viable path to resolve the growing tensions, particularly those concerning Iran’s nuclear program.

According to the Kremlin’s official summary of the call, Putin and Erdoğan underscored their shared position that all disputes, including the sensitive and long-standing disagreements over Iran’s nuclear ambitions, must be addressed through political dialogue and diplomatic negotiation.

They rejected the use of military force as a means of resolving the crisis and urged all parties involved to exercise maximum restraint.

“The leaders called for an immediate end to hostilities and the settlement of contentious issues, including those related to Iran’s nuclear programme, exclusively through political and diplomatic means,” the Kremlin said in its readout.

The statement also highlighted that the two leaders expressed deep concern over the potential for a broader regional conflict.

According to it, the leaders warned that any further escalation could have catastrophic humanitarian and security consequences for the Middle East and beyond.

The Kremlin did not provide further details about specific steps either Russia or Turkey might take to help de-escalate the situation.

On the other hand, the phone call itself was seen as part of a broader diplomatic push by both countries to assert their influence amid a volatile geopolitical environment.

Context of the Call

The conversation took place against the backdrop of intensifying military exchanges between Israel and Iran.

The conflict has resulted in hundreds of casualties and widespread concern about the possibility of a regional war.

Israel’s strikes on Iranian targets, including infrastructure related to its nuclear program, and Iran’s retaliatory missile and drone attacks, have raised alarm bells across the international community.

The United Nations and various global powers have already called for a cessation of hostilities.

However, Putin and Erdoğan’s call is notable given their nations’ unique relationships with both Tehran and Tel Aviv.

Russia maintains a strategic alliance with Iran, particularly through cooperation in Syria and shared opposition to Western influence in the region.

At the same time, Moscow has also sought to maintain a balanced relationship with Israel, often coordinating on military movements in Syria to avoid direct confrontation.

Similarly, Turkey has deep ties with Iran as a regional neighbor, and it has had a complicated and at times adversarial relationship with Israel.

On the other hand, Ankara has recently made efforts to normalize relations with Tel Aviv after years of diplomatic strain.

Erdoğan’s outreach in this phone call demonstrates Turkey’s continuing interest in playing a mediating role in regional affairs.

Broader Diplomatic Implications

The joint call for peace by Putin and Erdoğan signals their intent to position themselves as influential mediators in the region.

This comes particularly at a time when the United States and the European Union are grappling with their own domestic and international challenges.

The two leaders appear to be using the Israel-Iran crisis to assert diplomatic relevance and potentially shape the outcome of negotiations around Iran’s nuclear activities.

The mention of Iran’s nuclear program is especially significant, as it remains one of the core concerns for Israel and Western governments.

Tehran has consistently maintained that its nuclear pursuits are peaceful, while its adversaries suspect it is edging closer to weapons-grade enrichment.

The issue has become even more critical as diplomatic efforts to revive the 2015 nuclear deal (JCPOA) have largely stalled.

With military tensions mounting, Putin and Erdoğan’s unified message adds to international pressure for de-escalation and dialogue.

However, whether the warring parties will heed the call remains uncertain, especially as violence continues to unfold across multiple fronts.

As of now, the phone call stands as a symbolic step toward diplomacy, one that reflects the shifting dynamics of global power.

It comes as Russia and Turkey seek to expand their influence amid a growing vacuum in international mediation efforts.

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