UPDATE - Russia slams Israeli strike on Iran's diplomatic mission in Syria as 'act of aggression'

UPDATES WITH MORE REMARKS BY KREMLIN SPOKESMAN

By Elena Teslova

MOSCOW (AA) - Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov slammed on Tuesday a suspected Israeli strike on the Iranian diplomatic mission in Syria's capital Damascus as "an act of aggression."

Speaking at a news conference in Moscow, Peskov said carrying out such attacks is "a violation of the international legislation."

"We would not rush to conclusions, but in any case, carrying out such strikes is a violation of international law and an act of aggression," he stressed.

At least 11 people were killed in the attack on the consulate building, including three Syrian and one Lebanese nationals.

Among those killed were two generals of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), Brig. General Mohammad Reza Zahedi and his deputy, Gen. Mohammad Hadi Haji Rahimi, along with five other IRGC military advisers.

Asked about media reports claiming Russia is considering removing the Taliban movement from the list of terrorist organizations, Peskov said he will comment on the issue when there is a final decision.

"This is a country that is located close to us .... We need to solve pressing issues. This also requires dialogue ... And they are the de facto authorities in Afghanistan," he said.

Turning to a statement by the Federal Security Service (FSB) about blocking the channel for smuggling explosives in Orthodox icons and church utensils into Russia from Ukraine through the EU countries, Peskov said this case "eloquently speaks about terrorist methods used by the Kyiv regime."

The FSB said on Tuesday that 27 icon-camouflaged and ready-to-use improvised explosive devices, 70 kg of industrially manufactured high-powered plastic explosives, 91 electric detonators and parts of a rocket-propelled grenade were discovered in a cargo from Ukraine to Russia via Romania, Hungary, Slovakia, Poland, Lithuania and Latvia.

Peskov also confirmed that Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro plans to visit Russia in the near future, noting that "the level of visit's readiness is high," and the sides are working on dates.