INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
escalation in the Middle East could have "catastrophic consequences.""Vladimir Putin expressed the hope that all sides would show reasonable
restraint and prevent a new round of confrontation [that could be] fraught with catastrophic consequences for the entire region," the
Kremlin said in a readout of the call.An already tense situation in the Middle East grew even more precarious over the weekend after Iran
and its allies launched a barrage of over 300 missiles and drones against Israel, which said it managed to destroy 99% of the projectiles
with air defense systems.Tehran said the air assault was an act of self-defense in retaliation for a deadly Israeli strike on its consulate
in Syria earlier this month
Israel, in its turn, has vowed to respond to Iran's weekend attack but has not yet given details about what that response would look
like."The escalating situation in the Middle East following the Israeli airstrike on the Iranian diplomatic mission in Damascus and the
retaliatory measures taken by Iran were discussed in detail," the Kremlin said.Moscow and Iran are close military and political allies
The Kremlin said that Tuesday's call was held at the request of the Iranian side.
