Putin Proposes Mediation in Iran Crisis Following Talks with Pezeshkian and Netanyahu

Russian President Vladimir Putin has stepped into the escalating crisis in Iran, holding high-stakes telephone conversations with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Friday (January 16).

According to Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov, Putin has offered Russia’s mediation to de-escalate the rising tensions in the region.

The unrest in Iran, triggered by a historic economic collapse where the Rial has plunged to nearly 994,000 per US Dollar, has now engulfed 31 provinces. Human rights agencies report that over 10,000 people have been detained, with potential casualties ranging between 500 and 2,000. This internal turmoil is compounded by external pressures, as the U.S. and Israel maintain a firm stance against the Iranian administration.

While U.S. President Donald Trump has repeatedly hinted at military intervention, reports suggest that diplomatic efforts by Gulf nations like Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Oman have temporarily stalled any direct strikes. However, U.S. Ambassador Mike Waltz emphasized at the UN that "all options remain on the table" if the crackdown continues. Russia’s entry as a potential mediator marks a significant pivot in the diplomatic efforts to stabilize the Middle East.