Russia issued a stark warning on Saturday, cautioning that rising hostilities between Iran and Israel risk triggering an “explosive escalation” that could spiral out of control. This follows Israel’s airstrikes on military targets within Iran, which Israel described as retaliatory.
Israel further warned Tehran that it would “pay a heavy price” if it responded to these attacks. In response, the United States and the United Kingdom have both urged Iran to avoid escalating the conflict.
Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova expressed deep concern over the situation, describing it as an “explosive escalation” in the region. “We urge all parties involved to exercise restraint, stop the violence, and prevent events from developing into a catastrophic scenario,” she said in an official statement. Zakharova added that efforts should focus on avoiding actions that provoke Iran, which could worsen the situation.
Russian President Vladimir Putin also raised alarms earlier this week, during a BRICS summit, warning that the rising tensions could lead to a full-scale war across the Middle East. “The level of confrontation between Israel and Iran has sharply risen, reminiscent of a chain reaction, and puts the entire Middle East on the verge of full-scale war,” he stated.
Russia, which maintains close relations with Iran and has significant security and economic interests in the region, has voiced strong concerns about the potential for a broader conflict in the Middle East.
