Russian, Iranian FMs discuss Mideast tensions, de-escalation efforts

MOSCOW, April 2 (Xinhua) -- Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi on Thursday discussed the Middle East conflict and de-escalation efforts, the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs said.

During a phone conversation initiated by the Iranian side, the ministers reviewed in detail the developments surrounding the conflict and efforts undertaken by a number of countries to de-escalate tensions, the ministry said in a statement.

On Feb. 28, the United States and Israel launched joint attacks on Tehran and several other Iranian cities, killing Iran's then Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, along with senior military commanders and civilians. Iran responded with waves of missile and drone strikes targeting Israel and U.S. assets in the Middle East.