Russian missile experts visit Iran, warn Israel
Moscow also expressed deep concern for the safety of its personnel working at Iranian nuclear facilities
Russia on yesterday (19 June) strongly condemned Israel's attacks on Iran's nuclear infrastructure, calling them illegal and warning they could trigger a global crisis.
Moscow also expressed deep concern for the safety of its personnel working at Iranian nuclear facilities.
"We consider the Israeli side's attacks on peaceful nuclear facilities in the Islamic Republic of Iran to be absolutely unacceptable," Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said at a briefing during the St Petersburg International Economic Forum.
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She said the strikes violate international law, pose grave risks to global security, and move the world closer to "nuclear catastrophe."
Zakharova specifically highlighted fears over the safety of Russian workers at the Bushehr nuclear power plant.
Calling the Israeli strikes "unprovoked aggression," Zakharova also condemned Tel Aviv's justification based on nuclear non-proliferation concerns as "outright cynicism."
She urged Israel to immediately stop its attacks and called on the United States to avoid military involvement, warning that any such step would lead to "unpredictable and dangerous consequences."
The Russian statement comes amid a dramatic escalation in hostilities between Iran and Israel. Tensions spiked after Israel launched sweeping airstrikes last week on Iranian nuclear sites, military facilities, and senior scientists. Iran, which insists its nuclear program is peaceful, responded with missile and drone attacks.
Iran's health ministry says over 220 people have been killed and at least 1,800 injured, while the country's ambassador to Russia claims the civilian death toll nears 300. Israel has reported more than 20 deaths and 800 injuries.
Despite calls for de-escalation, both nations remain locked in deadly confrontation.
