Iran and Russia on Friday called for an immediate ceasefire in the ongoing Israeli-Hamas war in Gaza.
The Russian foreign ministry said that Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and his Iranian counterpart, Hossein Amir Abdollahian, discussed the current situation pertaining to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict during a telephone call.
“The two sides stressed the need for an immediate ceasefire and urgent humanitarian aid to the civilian population,” the Ministry statement said.
Meanwhile, a veteran Thai politician said on Friday that he held direct talks with the Palestinian group Hamas seeking the safe release of Thai hostages it is holding, amid a flurry of diplomatic activity by Thailand’s government.
Areepen Uttarasin, a veteran Thai politician and former education minister, said the back-channel talks that lasted for about two hours were conducted in person in the Iranian capital Tehran, on Oct. 26, and that Hamas officials said Thai hostages were safe and well-looked after.
“I told them that I am here not to negotiate but simply to ask for their release,” said Areepen, who declined to name the Hamas officials he met with.
Thailand's Foreign Minister Parnpree Bahiddha-Nukara Pranpree said on Thursday that his country was in touch with Iran and other regional governments that can contact Hamas, including Qatar and Egypt.
Parnpree, who was in the Middle East earlier this week, said Iran was close to Hamas and has promised to help with negotiations.
At least 23 Thai nationals were among more than 240 people taken hostage when Hamas attacked Israel on Oct. 7.
Of the more than 1,400 people Israel says were killed in the rampage, at least 32 were Thai.
