Russia warns Iran: US and Israel are about to attack
Russia isn’t being hysterical, it’s protecting its interests, people, and influence. But its loud protest also masks its own ambitions: to be seen as a global power broker, even while waging a war in Europe.
Russia’s Foreign Ministry has issued a stern warning following reports of possible new military strikes on Iran’s nuclear infrastructure, raising the alarm far louder than any other global power. The language was unusually sharp: Moscow expressed “deep concern,” warned against “normalizing” attacks on nuclear sites, and signaled that such actions could jeopardize future nuclear cooperation with Tehran.
This isn’t mere rhetoric. Russia’s unease is rooted in a convergence of strategic, diplomatic, and geopolitical interests and it reflects Moscow’s evolving role in the Middle East and beyond.
What Russia Said and Why It Matters
Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova called recent threats to bomb Iran’s nuclear facilities "absolutely unacceptable." In statements quoted by Reuters and Anadolu Ajansı, she argued that such attacks undermine global non-proliferation norms and carry the risk of "catastrophic consequences" if they become normalized. She warned that any continuation of strikes could derail ongoing cooperation between Iran and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
Zakharova’s comments follow a series of Israeli and U.S. operations in June that reportedly targeted suspected Iranian military and nuclear sites. While these attacks received muted responses from Western capitals, Russia condemned them as illegal and destabilizing.
Why Is Russia So Vocal?
Russia’s alarm is not just about legal principle, it’s about real stakes:
1. Russian Personnel on the Ground
Russian engineers and technicians are known to work at Iranian nuclear sites, such as the Bushehr reactor. Any strike risks Russian casualties, raising the potential for diplomatic fallout or even a broader confrontation.
2. Strategic Alliance with Iran
Tehran has become a key Russian partner since the invasion of Ukraine. Iran supplies drones and weapons to Moscow, while Russia reciprocates with defense technology and intelligence. A strike on Iran’s nuclear infrastructure would be seen in Moscow as a blow to a crucial ally and by extension, to Russia’s regional power projection.
3. Radioactive Risk: Real and Symbolic
Russia has a deep national memory of nuclear catastrophe. The idea of a strike, even on a supposedly inactive facility, triggers fears of environmental fallout. But there's also a symbolic dimension: Moscow wants to prevent a precedent in which nuclear sites are fair game.
4. Post-Ukraine Reputation Management
Amid global condemnation for its war in Ukraine, Russia is attempting to reposition itself as a guardian of international law, at least selectively. By opposing Western military strikes on nuclear facilities, the Kremlin can portray itself as a responsible power standing against lawlessness.
5. Global Messaging and Information Warfare
Criticizing the U.S. and Israel over Iran helps Russia advance a familiar narrative: that the West applies international law selectively. This message resonates particularly in the Global South, where many countries harbor skepticism toward Western interventions.
A Strategic Play for Diplomatic Leverage
Russia’s warnings come as it builds out its role as a power broker in the Middle East. By tying future IAEA cooperation to guarantees that no more attacks occur, Moscow is trying to insert itself into the Iran nuclear issue as a key diplomatic player, perhaps even supplanting Western influence in shaping non-proliferation talks.
It’s a move that fits a broader pattern: while engaged in open war in Europe, Russia is also working to cast itself as a stabilizing force in other parts of the world.
Why the Silence Elsewhere?
* United States and Israel have strategic reasons for ambiguity; both may be exploring military options or signaling deterrence through silence.
* European powers typically defer to U.S. leadership on Iran and are unlikely to push back against Washington.
* China** maintains diplomatic support for Iran but avoids overt involvement in military matters.
* Gulf Arab states, while deeply opposed to a nuclear Iran, remain cautious to avoid stoking tensions or appearing complicit in any Israeli or American military action.
Russia’s alarm is not hysterical, it reflects genuine strategic concerns, including the safety of its nationals, the strength of its alliances, and its desire to be a global nuclear power with influence over the rules. But its protest also serves another purpose: reinforcing its narrative as an alternative to what it sees as Western aggression and hypocrisy.
As tensions escalate, Moscow’s loudest warnings may not be the most neutral, but they are among the most revealing.
Sources: Reuters, Anadolu Ajansı, AL-Monitor, Ynet, TIME, Asharq Al-Awsat, Business Recorder, MarketScreener, The Economic Times