TEHRAN - Russian President Vladimir Putin has told his Iranian counterpart that Tehran’s response to Israel’s attack on its embassy in Damascus was the best that could be given, especially in the face of international inaction.  

"What the Islamic Republic of Iran did in response to this criminal act in the shadow of the inaction of the (UN) Security Council was the best way to punish the aggressor and a manifestation of the tact and rationality of Iran's leaders,” Putin stated during a telephone conversation with Ebrahim Raisi on Monday. 

The Russian leader also criticized the destabilizing actions of the U.S. and its Western allies, who he said are creating tensions in West Asia. "We believe that the Islamic Republic of Iran is one of the main foundations of stability and security in the region".

Raisi, for his part, said Iran aimed to punish Israel through Operation True Promise and that it is not looking for war. "The destructive role of Washington and some Western countries, and the inaction and incompetence of international institutions, including the United Nations and the Security Council, in dealing with the aggressive act of the Zionist regime led the Islamic Republic of Iran, in line with exercising its right to self-defense based on Article 51 of the United Nations Charter, to design and implement an operation against the same centers that had done evil acts against us,” he explained. 

The Iranian president, however, warned that Tehran is ready to firmly respond to any new provocations by the Zionist regime. “We firmly declare that we will respond to any action against Iran's interests more fiercely, extensively, and painfully than before.” 

Elsewhere in his comments, Raisi appreciated Russia’s position on the issue, saying Moscow has helped thwart Western schemes in the Security Council. "We advise those countries that have a dual approach in facing the crimes of the Zionist regime and express concern over increasing tensions in the region to stop supporting the Zionists' genocide and crimes against the oppressed Palestinian people in order to maintain the stability and security of the region,” the president remarked. 

During their phone call, the presidents of Iran and Russia also discussed the current status of their bilateral cooperation across trade, security, energy, transportation, and science and technology sectors. They underscored the importance of expediting the execution of agreements and fostering collaboration between their nations.