Putin has said he is not seeking to be a mediator between Iran and Israel, and is only suggesting ideas for how the countries could resolve the escalating crisis, AFP reports.

“We are by no means seeking to act as a mediator, we are simply suggesting ideas,” Putin said at an economic forum in Saint Petersburg.

“If they turn out to be attractive to both sides, we will only be happy.”

Pressed multiple times to comment on Israel’s apparent threats to kill Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Putin said: “I really hope that the things you mention remain at the level of rhetoric.”

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