China and Russia positioning themselves as voices of reason, calling for de-escalation of a conflict the United States is contemplating on entering — these are the optics Xi Jinping and Vladimir Putin sought to project during a phone call on Thursday.

Russian leader Vladimir Putin has held a phone call with Chinese President Xi Jinping, Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov has confirmed. The two leaders discussed the situation in Iran and arranged to meet in China in late August or early September.

Russian and Chinese presidents held a call on Thursday during which they both condemned Israel for striking Iran, the Kremlin said.