Kremlin-Russia Urging De-Escalation Between Israel & Iran

A number of headlines hitting wires from Kremlin spox Dmitri Peskov. Regarding the situation in the Middle East, Peskov says that "Russia continues to have close contacts with Iran", compared to its "constructive contacts with Israel". Says that "We are having dialogue, urging the need for de-escalation". Demurs when asked if Iran forewarned Russia of its missile/drone attack on Israel over the weekend.

• On the latest US/UK sanctions on the Russian metals sector, Peskov says that the gov't was in close contact with the industry and discussing different options. Reuters: "In their latest round of Ukraine-related sanctions, Washington and London on Friday prohibited metal-trading exchanges from accepting new aluminium, copper and nickel produced by Russia and barred the import of the metals into the United States and Britain in order to disrupt Russian export revenue."
• On the political situation in Georgia, Peskov says that the controverisal Foregin Agent Bill should not be called "Russian", claiming that "the situation is being used to stoke anti-Russian sentiment". The proposed legislation, cracking down on the funding of foreign NGOs has sparked criticism from opponents, mass protestsin Tbilisi, and brawls in parliament. Pro-EU politicians have argued the bill is anti-democratic and that the gov't is in cahoots with Vladimir Putin.
• Peskov confirms reportsthat Russia is withdrawing its peacekeepers from the Nagorno-Karabakh region. For decades the region had been de jure Azerbaijan but de facto controlled by Armenia until a rapid military operation in 2023 saw Baku gain full control of the area.