Russia warns Israel against 'catastrophic' attack on Iranian nuclear sites

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov
Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov

Russia's deputy foreign minister warned Israel that it would be "a catastrophic development" to strike Iran's nuclear facilities, wading in on the conflict between the two archenemies.

Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov issued the warning on Thursday, according to state news agency TASS, risking bringing Russia further into the escalating conflict between Israel and Iran and its regional proxies.

Following Iran's ballistic missile attack on October 1, speculation is mounting that Israel could target Iran's nuclear, oil, or military facilities, as it has long threatened, although the US has warned that they will not support a strike on nuclear facilities.

Showing the ever deepening ties between Moscow and Tehran, Ryabkov said Russia has "repeatedly warned and continue to warn ... against even hypothetically considering the possibility of a strike on [Iranian] nuclear facilities and nuclear infrastructure".

On Wednesday, the Associated Press reported that the Biden administration believes it has secured assurances from Israel not to target Iranian nuclear or oil facilities.

A day earlier, The Washington Post reported that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had informed the Biden administration of his willingness to target military sites in Iran rather than nuclear or oil facilities, according to official sources.

Last week, Russian President Vladimir Putin highlighted a "very close" alignment of views with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, as tensions in the Middle East continue to escalate, raising fears of a wider regional conflict.

Iran has provided Russia with drones for its war on Ukraine, resulting in further sanctions for Tehran and the two have increasingly carried out military exercises together. Iran is also building a drone factory in Russia with its close ally.

This month, Tehran was further sanctioned for supplying ballistic missiles to Russia.

Iran and Russia, heavily sanctioned by the West, find themselves increasingly isolated on the global stage. Russia's invasion of Ukraine has made it the most sanctioned nation in the world, surpassing even Iran.

Amid these sanctions, Iran is deepening long-term agreements with strategic partners like China and Russia, in alignment with Supreme Leader Khamenei’s "Looking East" policy.