DUBAI, October 21. /TASS/. Russia, being one of BRICS founding countries, plays a key role in interaction between the group’s members, Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei said at a press conference.

"Russia is one of BRICS founders, it plays a key role in decision-making processes and in interaction between the group’s member states," the diplomat said, replying to a question as to how Iran views Russia’s chairmanship of the group.

Commenting on remarks by Russian President Vladimir Putin about Moscow’s readiness to assist in settling the conflict in the Middle East in order to halt any strikes on civilian targets in the Gaza Strip, the Iranian official stressed that Tehran welcomes any initiatives curbing the spread of combat. "Putting an end to [war] crimes in Gaza and Lebanon must be the first step," he specified.

On October 18, at a meeting with the heads of BRICS leading media outlets, Putin noted that Russia is ready to assist in resolving the current situation in the Gaza Strip and preventing the further escalation in the region.

Tensions flared up again in the Middle East on October 7, 2023, when militants from the Gaza-based Palestinian radical group Hamas staged a surprise incursion into Israeli territory from the Gaza Strip. Hamas described its attack as a response to the aggressive actions of Israeli authorities against the Al-Aqsa Mosque on the Temple Mount in Jerusalem’s Old City. In response, Israel has declared a state of war readiness; announced a total blockade of the Gaza Strip, home to 2.3 million Palestinians; and began delivering air strikes on the enclave and certain parts of Lebanon and Syria, followed by a ground operation in the enclave. Clashes are underway in the West Bank as well.