Russia has issued a stern warning to the United States, cautioning that any military strike against Iran could spark severe instability in the Middle East and potentially lead to a nuclear catastrophe.
Speaking at an economic forum in St. Petersburg, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov stressed Moscow’s strategic partnership with Tehran, reaffirmed earlier this year through a formal agreement. He described suggestions of U.S. military action as “speculative and extremely dangerous,” urging Washington to avoid escalating the already volatile situation.
The warning comes amid a wave of Israeli strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities, which Russia says are increasing the risk of a global crisis. Moscow has drawn particular attention to the dangers of targeting nuclear infrastructure.
Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova likened the potential consequences to the Fukushima nuclear disaster, questioning the international community’s muted response. “The risks are clear,” she stated. “Strikes on nuclear sites should not be taken lightly.”
While Russia continues to back Iran diplomatically and militarily, it has also positioned itself as a potential mediator in the growing Israel-Iran conflict—a proposal that remains unaccepted.
Kremlin analysts suggest that despite the seriousness of the situation, Russia could leverage the crisis to its geopolitical advantage, including shifts in global energy markets and a possible redirection of U.S. military attention away from Eastern Europe.
