ST. PETERSBURG, Russia: President Vladimir Putin offered Wednesday to help mediate an end to the conflict between Israel and Iran, suggesting Moscow could help negotiate a settlement that could allow Tehran to pursue a peaceful atomic program while assuaging Israeli security concerns.

Anatoly Viktorov stressed that the intervention of external players "in the current situation will certainly not help to defuse it"

Russian leader reiterated his proposal as the Kremlin said he was also willing to act as a mediator in the conflict between Israel and Iran