MOSCOW, April 18 (Xinhua) -- Russia is taking all possible measures to prevent a further escalation of the situation in the Middle East, Russian Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Maria Zakharova said Thursday.
Zakharova noted that contacts are being held on various levels and Moscow hopes these efforts will yield results. She added that Russian representatives have been repeatedly calling on all parties to show restraint.
The spokesperson warned that it is important to prevent the situation from escalating uncontrollably, which would be fraught with serious consequences for the entire region.
"We believe that the current situation is largely a consequence of (U.S.) long-term policy in the region, which is aimed at creating dividing lines and destroying the international legal framework," she said.
Tehran launched hundreds of drones and missiles late Saturday in response to the killing of seven Iranians, including two veteran commanders, by Israel in a strike on the consular section of the Iranian Embassy in Syria on April 1. ■