Moscow condemns US-Israel strikes on Iran

The attacks could lead to a humanitarian, economic, and potentially nuclear catastrophe, the Russian Foreign Ministry has said

The US and Israeli strikes against Iran are a “premediated and unprovoked act of aggression,” the Russian Foreign Ministry has said in a statement, warning that it could have dire consequences for the Middle East and the entire world.

Washington and West Jerusalem launched the attack on Saturday, with US President Donald Trump stating that the operation is aimed at destroying Iran’s nuclear program and bringing about regime change in Iran. Tehran responded with retaliatory strikes against targets in Israel as well as US bases in the region.

Moscow is calling on the UN and its nuclear watchdog, the International Atomic Energy Agency, to give an impartial assessment of the “reckless actions aimed at disrupting peace, stability and security in the Middle East,” the ministry’s statement said. The actions of Washington and West Jerusalem are pushing the region towards “a humanitarian, economic and potentially nuclear catastrophe,” it warned.

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According to Russia, the US is seeking to eliminate the leadership of a nation that has resisted forceful pressure and hegemonism. The strikes came after indirect nuclear talks in Geneva between Tehran and Washington ended inconclusively on Friday and amid a massive US military buildup in the region.

The attack could also have dire consequences for the global non-proliferation regime, the Russian ministry stated, adding that it could lead to “uncontrolled escalation” in the Middle East and elsewhere, as nations around the world will rush to acquire more destructive arms in a bid to protect themselves.

Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov discussed the strikes in a phone call with his Iranian counterpart, Abbas Araghchi, on Saturday. He urged an immediate halt to the strikes and said Moscow is ready to provide diplomatic assistance. Araghchi thanked Moscow for the support.

President Vladimir Putin called a National Security Council meeting over the developments, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told journalists on Saturday.

The attack has drawn criticism around the world, including from the US and Western allies. France and Spain called it a risk to global security. China demanded an immediate halt to the strikes.