MOSCOW. July 18 (Interfax) - Russian and Iranian Presidents Vladimir Putin and Hassan Rouhani said it was necessary to stop as quickly as possible the armed confrontation in Gaza and to resume direct Palestinian-Israeli talks, the Kremlin press office said in a statement on Friday.
"Upon the Iranian initiative Russian President Putin and Iranian President Rouhani have talked on the telephone, the document said.
According to the information of the Kremlin press office, "sharp escalation of the crisis situation in Gaza, taking into account the ground operation of the Israeli troops, has been discussed."
"Both parties have emphasized the necessity to stop as quickly as possible the armed confrontation and to resume direct Palestinian-Israeli talks," the statement said.
"Opinions have been exchanged on the progress of talks on the Iranian nuclear issue and situation in Iraq," the press office said.
Bilateral cooperation issues of mutual interest, including implementation of joint projects in oil, gas and peaceful atom sectors, have been discussed as well, the Kremlin said.