India, Jan. 16 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu discussed the situation in the Middle East and Iran by phone on Friday.

According to a statement by the Kremlin, cited by Reuters, Putin offered Netanyahu Russia's help in mediating regarding Iran, and told the Israeli leader he was "in favour of intensifying political and diplomatic efforts to ensure stability and security in the region."

Putin later also spoke by phone with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on Friday, the Kremlin said. The Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov told reporters that the Russian President will continue efforts to de-escalate the situation in the region.

The phone calls from Putin come amid massive protests in ...