CAIRO, April 14 (Xinhua) -- Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry urged on Sunday Iran and Israel to exercise the utmost restraint and refrain from provocative policies that would increase regional tension and instability.

Shoukry made the call in separate phone talks with foreign ministers of the two rivals, according to a statement by the Egyptian Foreign Ministry.

The Egyptian minister expressed his country's deep concern for the unprecedented military escalation between Iran and Israel, which endangers the stability of the region and the interests of its people.

Shoukry told his Iranian and Israeli counterparts that Egypt is ready to intensify its efforts in cooperation with its partners to defuse the current crisis, which is taking an escalatory turn and coinciding with multiple escalations across the region, including the ongoing conflict in the Gaza Strip.

Meanwhile, Shoukry and U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken exchanged views on actions to stop the escalation and spare the region from the scourge of heightened tensions.

During another phone conversation, Shoukry briefed Blinken on the results of the intensive communications with the Iranian and Israeli sides to address the crisis and prevent it from spiraling out of control.

Iran and its allies launched coordinated drone and missile strikes on Israel late Saturday in retaliation for Israel's deadly assault on the Iranian consulate in Syria on April 1, which killed seven Iranians, including two veteran commanders. ■