Lavrov: We welcome possible Iran-Israeli ceasefire, but too early to make conclusions

MOSCOW. June 24 (Interfax) - While Russia welcomes a possible ceasefire agreement between Iran and Israel, it believes it is too early to make definitive conclusions regarding the real situation, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said.

"In my view, it's very hard to make any definitive conclusions and get a definitive picture for now," Lavrov said at the Primakov Readings conference on Tuesday.

"We would only welcome it if such an [ceasefire] agreement does exist," he said.

On the one hand, U.S. President Donald Trump declared peace between Iran and Israel, and on the other, this statement was followed by reports on continuing hostilities in the conflict zone, which suggests that it would be premature to make any conclusions in this situation, Lavrov said.

"However, we are in favor of peace," he said.

Russian presidential press secretary Dmitry Peskov also said that Russia welcomes a ceasefire between Iran and Israel if it has been achieved in reality.

"If the parties have managed to achieve a ceasefire indeed, this can only be welcomed. This is what Russia has called for since the very start of that conflict. Therefore, this can and should be welcomed," Peskov told journalists commenting on U.S. President Donald Trump's statement on a ceasefire between Iran and Israel.

"We hope this will be a sustainable ceasefire," he said.

The Kremlin has dismissed allegations that Russia did not appropriately support Iran, suggesting that such assertions were aimed at causing damage to relations between Moscow and Tehran.

"Many wish to add fuel to the fire now to disrupt partner relations between Moscow and Tehran," Peskov said.

"Russia did support Iran by the clear position it assumed. And certainly, we're determined to continue developing our relations with Iran," he said.