Russia has just revealed an unexpected message to countries in the Middle East.
The nation urged countries in the Middle East to exercise restraint after Iran vowed to retaliate following a strike earlier this month on its embassy in Syria that killed members of the elite Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.
"It is extremely important today for everyone to show restraint in order to avoid a complete destabilization of the situation in the region, which already does not shine with stability and predictability," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters, according to Russian news agency Tass.
Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei reiterated the regime's commitment to respond to the April 1 strike in Damascus that killed two generals and other members of the IRGC, blaming the attack on Israel.
"When they attack the consulate, it is as if they have attacked our soil," Khamenei said in a speech Wednesday. "The evil regime made a mistake and must be punished and it shall be."
Israel has not claimed responsibility for the attack.
The strike on the embassy in Syria has inflamed tensions in the Middle East, already on edge because of the Israel-Hamas war in the Gaza Strip.
"We undoubtedly urge all countries in the region to show restraint," Peskov said. "You all know well that we have condemned the strikes against the Iranian consulate office. We have expressed our resolute condemnation regarding the delivered strikes. They violated all the principles of international law."
Russia is embroiled in a war in Ukraine after invading its western neighbor in February 2022.
