Russia Cautions U.S. Against Military Escalation Amid Middle East Tensions

On Thursday, Russia’s Foreign Ministry cautioned the United States against engaging in military action against Iran, as the situation in the Middle East grows increasingly tense and speculation mounts regarding potential U.S. involvement alongside Israel.

Last Friday, Israel carried out airstrikes targeting Iran’s military and nuclear facilities, prompting Tehran to respond with its own barrage of rockets and drones. Since the commencement of this aerial conflict, numerous civilians have lost their lives in both nations, and despite international appeals for de-escalation, both parties have intensified their aggressive rhetoric.

U.S. President Donald Trump has exacerbated concerns by suggesting earlier this week that American forces in the Middle East could attempt to kill Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, and ambiguously called for Tehran to accept an «unconditional surrender.»

«We specifically urge Washington to refrain from any military intervention in this context,» stated Maria Zakharova, spokeswoman for the Russian Foreign Ministry, on Thursday.

Zakharova emphasized that such a U.S. action «would represent an exceedingly perilous move with profoundly unpredictable consequences.»

Her warning came shortly after Russian President Vladimir Putin spoke by phone with Chinese leader Xi Jinping, where both leaders denounced Israel’s military actions and called for a halt to hostilities.

«Their condemnation of Israel’s actions is unequivocal,» the Kremlin noted in a summary of their conversation.

Yuri Ushakov, a foreign policy adviser to Putin, told journalists that both Moscow and Beijing believe the dispute should be settled «exclusively through political and diplomatic channels.»

While Russia maintains strong ties with Iran, having deepened military cooperation following the full-scale invasion of Ukraine, it also seeks to uphold friendly relations with Israel.

Despite these connections, Putin indicated that Iran has not requested military aid from Russia since the onset of hostilities from Israel.

«Our Iranian partners have not approached us on this matter,» he remarked during a late-night press conference in St. Petersburg.

Furthermore, he clarified that a treaty signed with Iran earlier this year does not serve as a mutual defense agreement and does not obligate either nation to provide military support.

When asked how Russia would respond if Khamenei were to be assassinated, Putin replied, «I don’t want to entertain the thought of such a scenario.»

Reporting contributed by AFP.