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Russia Responds to U.S. Threats Against Iran
MOSCOW (Reuters) – In a strong rebuke to mounting U.S. threats aimed at Iran, Russia declared on Thursday that any military action against its ally would be intolerable, cautioning that striking the Islamic Republic could trigger disastrous consequences, particularly concerning its nuclear facilities.
The tensions soared following comments from U.S. President Donald Trump, who issued stark warnings on Sunday regarding bombing Iran and imposing secondary tariffs if Tehran does not reach a resolution with Washington over its nuclear program. In response, the U.S. has also deployed more warplanes to the region, further escalating the situation.
Addressing concerns raised about Iran’s nuclear ambitions, the Russian Foreign Ministry reiterated its commitment to facilitating discussions around Iran’s nuclear initiatives, emphasizing the need to honor Tehran’s right to pursue peaceful nuclear energy.
Maria Zakharova, the ministry’s spokesperson, emphasized the illegitimacy of military threats against Iran. “The use of military force by Iran’s opponents in the context of the settlement is illegal and unacceptable,” she stated during a press briefing.
Zakharova added, “Threats from outside to bomb Iran’s nuclear infrastructure facilities will inevitably lead to an irreversible global catastrophe. These threats are simply unacceptable.”
Western nations have accused Iran of secretly seeking to develop nuclear weapons capability, citing its high-level uranium enrichment activities as evidence that exceeds what is reasonable for a civilian nuclear energy program. Conversely, Iran maintains that its nuclear endeavors are entirely oriented towards civilian energy production.
Earlier this year, Russia and Iran formalized their bilateral relations through the signing of a “comprehensive strategic partnership agreement.” This agreement, however, notably lacks a mutual defense clause, which would obligate one party to support the other in the event of an attack.
Condemning the U.S. threats, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov warned of the broader implications an attack on Iran could have for regional stability. “An attack on Iran could unfurl a broader open conflict in the Middle East,” he remarked to Life magazine.
Ryabkov amplified the dire potential outcomes, especially concerning any strikes on nuclear facilities. “The consequences of this could be catastrophic for the entire region,” he asserted, highlighting the precarious nature of the current geopolitical landscape.
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