MOOSCOW, April 15. /TASS/. The current escalation in the Middle East was the focus of a phone call between Secretary of the Russian Security Council Nikolay Patrushev and head of Israel’s National Security Council Tzachi Hanegbi, the press service of the Russian Security Council said.

"In the context of the escalation of the situation in the Middle East, Patrushev noted the necessity of restraint from all the parties in the interests of preventing further aggravation of the conflict. He stressed that Russia insists that differences should be settled solely by political and diplomatic means," it said.

On the evening of April 13, Iran launched dozens of drones and missiles toward Israel in response to what it called "repeated crimes" from Tel Aviv, including the attack on the consular office of the Iranian Embassy in Damascus ascribed to Israel. Tehran said that military facilities in Israel were targeted. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) claimed it intercepted 99% of the nearly 300 projectiles launched at Israel. Israel did not report any fatalities or serious injuries, saying minor damage had been caused to Nevatim Air Base.