MOSCOW, March 26 (Xinhua) -- Russia has been closely monitoring the situation in the Middle East and, for now, it is developing along the worst-case scenario, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said Thursday.
The consequences of the Middle East conflict for the global economy are difficult to calculate, but they are unlikely to be positive, Peskov said.
He also said that Moscow hopes the Middle East situation transitions to a peaceful course in the very near future. "We sincerely hope that the information indicating that negotiations are underway is true, because any actions that can in any way help establish peace deserve full support," he said.
Tensions in the region have escalated since Feb. 28, when the United States and Israel launched joint attacks on Tehran and several other Iranian cities, killing Iran's then Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, along with senior military commanders and civilians.
Iran responded by launching missile and drone strikes targeting Israeli and U.S. bases and assets in the Middle East, and exercising tight control over the Strait of Hormuz. ■
