INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
The Kremlin on Wednesday expressed worry over the latest escalation in the Middle East, calling on "all sides" to show "restraint" after
Israel vowed to make Iran "pay" for firing a barrage of missiles at its territory."This situation is developing according to the most
worrying scenario," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said
"We call all sides toward restraint ..
and we condemn any acts that could lead to the death of the civilian population."Iran launched its second direct attack on Israel in its
history on Tuesday, firing what it said were 200 missiles including hypersonic weapons, sending Israeli civilians into shelters and
prompting several countries in the region to close their airspace
Israel put the number of missiles fired at its territory at 180.Early Wednesday, Israel bombarded Iran-backed Hezbollah strongholds in south
Russia condemned the attacks and urged Israel to pull its troops out of southern Lebanon on Tuesday.Israel shifted its focus last month from
its war in Gaza, which was sparked by Iran-backed Hamas's Oct
while strengthening military and political ties with Iran.While Iran-backed groups across the region had already been drawn into the Gaza
war, Tehran had largely refrained from direct attacks on its regional foe.Tuesday's attack was Iran's second direct strike on Israel
after a missile and drone attack in April in response to a deadly Israeli air strike on the Iranian consulate in Damascus.AFP contributed
