Russian President Vladimir Putin conveyed his congratulations to Iranian counterpart Ebrahim Raisi and all Muslims on the conclusion of Ramadan and the Uraza Bayram holiday, as reported by the Kremlin press service.
"Vladimir Putin extended his greetings to Ebrahim Raisi and the entire Muslim community in Iran on the conclusion of the holy month of Ramadan and the recent celebration of Uraza Bayram," the statement read.
Uraza Bayram, also known as Eid al-Fitr in Arabic, marks the end of the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan and holds roots dating back to the 7th century during Prophet Muhammad's era. This year, Uraza Bayram fell on April 10, with observances including collective prayers, visits to cemeteries to honor the deceased, gatherings with relatives, exchanging gifts, and sharing sweets. Unlike Kurban Bayram, sacrificial animals are not slaughtered during Uraza Bayram.
On the Middle East situation
The presidents of Russia and Iran also discussed the deteriorating situation in the Middle East. Following Israel's strike on the consular section of the Iranian embassy in Damascus in early April, Iran responded by launching missiles and drones towards Israel on April 13, targeting exclusively military sites and issuing prior warnings to regional countries.
"Vladimir Putin expressed hope for all parties to exercise restraint and prevent a new escalation of conflict with potentially catastrophic consequences for the region," the statement noted.
Raisi underscored that Iran's actions were necessitated and limited, emphasizing Tehran's lack of interest in further escalating tensions.
Both sides reiterated their principled support for an immediate ceasefire in the Middle East, with a focus on resolving the underlying Palestinian-Israeli conflict and addressing the dire humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip, paving the way for a diplomatic resolution.
On bilateral cooperation
Putin and Raisi affirmed their mutual commitment to enhancing bilateral cooperation across various sectors, particularly in advancing joint infrastructure projects.
"During discussions on key issues in Russian-Iranian relations, both sides expressed their shared intent to further enhance bilateral cooperation in diverse fields, including the implementation of mutually beneficial infrastructure initiatives," stated the Kremlin press service.
GSV "Russia - Islamic World"
Photo: official website of the President of the Russian Federation
Based on materials from TASS