MOSCOW, July 22. /TASS/. Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Georgy Borisenko and Chinese Deputy Foreign Minister Miao Deyu have held political consultations on the Middle East and Africa issues, with the countries supporting an end to hostilities between the US and Iran as soon as possible and conflict settlement based on the Islamabad memorandum, the Russian Foreign Ministry said.

"The focus was on the escalation of tensions in the Middle East. The sides emphasized the need to cease hostilities between the US and Iran as soon as possible and return to a political and diplomatic process based on the Islamabad memorandum to reach a long-term comprehensive agreement. The parties supported the efforts of Pakistani and Arab mediators," the Russian Foreign Ministry reported.

According to the ministry, the sides noted that countries not involved in the fighting must promote peace, not strife. "In that context, the Russian side presented its proposals under the updated Concept for Ensuring Collective Security in the Persian Gulf Zone," the report reads.