Moscow is ready to mediate in contacts between Iran and Saudi Arabia to settle the contradictions, the current problems should be resolved through dialogue, said Mikhail Bogdanov, special presidential representative for the Middle East and Africa and deputy foreign minister.

"We are in contact with both our Saudi Arabian and Iranian friends. We stand for resolving all contradictions and misunderstandings at the negotiating table within the framework of a constructive dialogue," Bogdanov said in response to a request by RIA Novosti to comment on the escalation in relations between Riyadh and Tehran.

"We have always been ready and are indeed making efforts to play a certain mediating role if it is demanded by our friends both in Riyadh and Tehran," the deputy minister stressed.

The Wall Street Journal had earlier reported that Saudi Arabia had shared intelligence with the United States about an imminent attack from Iran against targets on its territory. Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Nasser Kanaani said that Western countries have deliberately whipped up the atmosphere against Iran, saying that Tehran was allegedly preparing to attack Saudi Arabia. The day before Iranian special services stated that they intercepted a cargo with money and intelligence equipment from Saudi Arabia, which was meant for rioters in the country.