Tehran: Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on Thursday expressed gratitude to the Russian people and President Vladimir Putin for their support in the conflict with the US and Israel. "The messages from President Putin and the support of the Russian people inspire us in this war. The resilience and courage of the Iranian people promise new ties that will ensure the security of East Asia by the countries of the region. On behalf of the people of Iran, I thank the government and people of Russia," Pezeshkian wrote in Russian on the US social media company X.

According to Anadolu Agency, tensions in the Middle East have escalated since February 28, when the US and Israel launched a joint attack on Iran. The conflict has resulted in the deaths of more than 1,340 people, including the then-Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Following the attack, Iran has retaliated with drone and missile strikes targeting Israel and Gulf countries that host US military assets.

The ongoing conflict has also led to the deaths of thirteen US service members, with around 290 others injured since the war's inception. As the situation continues to develop, the support from Russia appears to be a significant factor in Iran's strategic approach to the conflict.