Putin and Netanyahu discussed developments in the Middle East and Iran in a phone call on Friday, Russia said.

Limited military capability and warnings from key regional allies are reportedly among the reasons for the US pulling back on attacking Iran.

Putin told Netanyahu that he was "in favor of intensifying political and diplomatic efforts to ensure stability and security in the region. " Russian President Vladimir Putin and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu discussed the situation in the Middle East and Iran by phone on Friday,

A series of urgent high-level contacts among the U.S., Israel, Iran and Russia has slowed, but not removed, the possibility of an American strike on Iran amid mass anti‑regime protests and a harsh crackdown.

MOSCOW, Jan 16 (Reuters) - Russian President Vladimir Putin ‌discussed ​the situation in Iran in ‌separate calls on Friday with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ​and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, and said that Moscow was willing to mediate in ‍the region, the Kremlin said.

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said that “Russia is already providing assistance not only to Iran but also to the entire region, and to the cause of regional stability and peace"

New penalties come as Trump welcomes purported Iranian decision to halt execution of antigovernment demonstrators.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's official aircraft has taken off. According to strategic experts, this aircraft is only in the air during special moments.