Russia Condemns US-Israel Strikes on Iran as 'Unprovoked Armed Aggression'
Russia's Foreign Ministry has issued a forceful condemnation of recent military strikes conducted by the United States and Israel against Iran, describing the actions as "a pre-planned and unprovoked act of armed aggression against a sovereign and independent U.N. member state." The statement, released on Saturday 28 February 2026, demands an immediate cessation of the military campaign and a swift return to diplomatic negotiations.
Accusations of Hidden Agendas and Regional Escalation
In a detailed declaration posted to the Telegram messaging platform, the Russian ministry accused Washington and Tel Aviv of "hiding behind" concerns regarding Iran's nuclear program while allegedly pursuing broader objectives of regime change. The ministry warned that these attacks pose a severe risk of triggering a "humanitarian, economic and possibly radiological catastrophe" across the Middle East, further accusing the U.S. and Israel of deliberately "plunging the region into an abyss of uncontrolled escalation."
Moscow specifically highlighted the bombing of nuclear facilities under International Atomic Energy Agency safeguards as "unacceptable," while simultaneously expressing readiness to assist in brokering a peaceful resolution to the crisis. However, the statement placed full responsibility for the escalating tensions squarely on the United States and Israel, asserting that "responsibility for the negative consequences of this manmade crisis, including an unpredictable chain reaction and spiraling violence, lies entirely with them."
Broader Condemnation of U.S. Foreign Policy
Beyond the immediate conflict, Russia's Foreign Ministry also condemned what it termed "the serial nature of destabilizing attacks carried out by the U.S. administration," accusing the United States of systematically attacking "the international legal pillars of the world order." This criticism reflects Moscow's ongoing geopolitical tensions with Western powers and its broader strategic positioning on the global stage.
Russia's Delicate Balancing Act in the Middle East
For decades, Russia has maintained a complex and delicate balancing act in the Middle East, navigating warm diplomatic relations with Israel while simultaneously cultivating strong economic and military ties with Iran. This dual approach was recently underscored by joint military exercises between Iranian forces and Russian sailors in the Gulf of Oman and the Indian Ocean. According to Iran's state-run IRNA news agency, these annual drills, conducted just last week, were aimed at "upgrading operational coordination as well as exchange of military experiences" between the two nations.
Potential Strategic Benefits for Russia
Some political observers in Moscow have suggested that the intense global focus on the confrontation between Israel and Iran could inadvertently benefit Russia by diverting international attention away from the ongoing war in Ukraine. This shift in focus might potentially weaken Western support for Kyiv, playing into Russia's strategic interests and complicating the geopolitical landscape further.
The Russian statement concludes with a renewed call for immediate de-escalation and a return to diplomatic channels, emphasizing the critical need to prevent further regional instability and catastrophic outcomes.
