Russia to the US: Do not attack Iran, we are close to nuclear catastrophe

(Patria) – Russia is trying to dissuade the United States from a potential attack on Iran, warning that such a move could radically destabilize the Middle East, said Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov on Wednesday. At the same time, Moscow estimates that Israeli attacks on Iran carry the risk of causing a nuclear catastrophe.

Let us recall that Russia and Iran signed a strategic partnership agreement in January, while Russia continues to maintain certain relations with Israel, although the war in Ukraine has further complicated relations with the Israeli authorities. Russia's offer to mediate in the conflict between Iran and Israel has not been accepted so far.

Ryabkov, speaking on the sidelines of the economic forum in St. Petersburg, told the Interfax agency that Moscow calls on Washington to refrain from direct military intervention.

"This would be a step that would radically destabilize the entire situation," Ryabkov stated, criticizing the increasing "speculation and guesswork" about a possible US attack.

The head of Russia's foreign intelligence service SVR, Sergey Naryshkin, joined the warnings, stating that the situation between Iran and Israel is now critical. Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova stated that Israeli attacks on Iran's nuclear infrastructure have brought the world "to a millimeter from catastrophe".

"Nuclear facilities are being targeted," Zakharova told Reuters, adding that the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has already recorded actual damage.

"Where is the international community? Where are all the environmentalists? I don't know if they think they are far enough away that the radioactive wave won't hit them. Let them read what happened in Fukushima," she said, alluding to the nuclear accident in Japan in 2011.

Although a 20-year strategic partnership agreement was signed between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, Russia has not committed to military assistance to Tehran, despite close military ties.

Putin, who lost an important ally in the region last December after the overthrow of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, spoke by phone with US President Donald Trump last Saturday. Putin offered Moscow's mediation role, to which Trump was reportedly open, but later stated that he expects "unconditional surrender" from Iran.

According to sources close to the US administration, Trump and his team are considering various options, including active US participation in Israeli attacks on Iranian nuclear facilities.

Sergey Markov, a former Kremlin advisor, stated that although Russia opposes the conflict, it could bring certain strategic benefits to Moscow – including rising oil prices, increased demand for Russian oil from China, and the redirection of US military resources from Ukraine to the Middle East.