Putin and Xi condemn Israel over its Iran strikes in phone call, Kremlin says

Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping both condemned Israel on Thursday over its strikes on Iran and agreed that de-escalation was needed, the Kremlin said after the two leaders spoke by telephone.

Putin and Xi "strongly condemn Israel's actions, which violate the UN Charter and other norms of international law," Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov told reporters.

"Both Moscow and Beijing fundamentally believe that there is no military solution to the current situation and issues related to Iran's nuclear programme.

"This solution must be achieved exclusively through political and diplomatic means," said Ushakov.

Without naming the United States, Xi said during the call that "major countries" with "special influence" in the region should step up diplomatic efforts to cool down the situation, according to a readout from China's official Xinhua news agency.

"The warring parties, especially Israel, should cease fire as soon as possible to prevent a cycle of escalation and resolutely avoid the spillover of the war," Xi said.

He also urged efforts to protect civilians, calling on Israel and Iran to facilitate the evacuation of citizens from other countries.

Russia has warned of catastrophe should the Israel-Iran conflict, now in its seventh day, escalate further, and has urged the US not to join Israel's bombardment.

Putin has been in touch with US President Donald Trump, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian in recent days and has repeatedly said Russia stands ready to mediate between the warring sides.

Thus far, no one has taken up Russia's offer.

On Thursday, Putin reiterated that proposition in his phone call with Xi, a close ally.

The Chinese leader expressed support for the idea, Ushakov said, "as he believes it could serve to de-escalate the current acute situation." The Chinese readout made no mention of such support from Xi.

The two men agreed to keep in close contact in the coming days.

Beijing has long backed Tehran as part of efforts to deepen its strategic and economic heft in the Middle East.

Extending a financial lifeline to Iran amid US sanctions on Tehran, China buys up to 90 percent of Iran's crude oil exports, say analysts, in transhipment trades off the coast of Malaysia.