Russia says Israel's attack on Iran was unprovoked and illegal

Israeli strikes on Iran were unprovoked and in breach of the United Nations charter, accusing Israel of wrecking diplomatic efforts to strike a deal to allay Western concerns about Tehran's nuclear programme, Russia said today (13 June).

Israel launched strikes against Iran on today, saying it had targeted nuclear facilities, ballistic missile factories and military commanders during the start of an operation to prevent Tehran from building a nuclear weapon.

Initial reports suggested that the Bushehr nuclear power plant, which Russia built, had not been hit.

"Russia is concerned and condemns the sharp escalation in tensions between Israel and Iran," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told state media.

President Vladimir Putin was getting real-time reports on the situation from Russia's SVR foreign intelligence service and the foreign and defence ministries, Peskov said.

In a detailed statement drawn up at Putin's behest, the Foreign Ministry fiercely condemned Israel and blamed the West for whipping up what it called anti-Iranian "hysteria."

"We strongly condemn the use of force by the state of Israel in violation of the Charter of the United Nations and international law," the ministry said.

"Unprovoked military strikes against a sovereign UN member state, its citizens, peaceful cities, and nuclear energy infrastructure are categorically unacceptable.

"The international community cannot afford to be indifferent to such atrocities, which destroy peace and damage regional and international security."

The statement said Moscow believed that there was no military solution when it came to allaying Western doubts and fears around Iran's nuclear programme and that diplomacy was the only answer.

"We call on the sides to exercise restraint in order to prevent a further escalation of tensions and the descent of the region into full-scale war," the ministry said.