Russian foreign ministry: We caution U.S. against direct military assistance to Israel, even thinking about it

Russian foreign ministry: We caution U.S. against direct military assistance to Israel, even thinking about it

In the wake of escalating tensions between Israel and Iran, Russia has issued a stern warning to the United States, cautioning against any direct military assistance to Israel. The Russian Foreign Ministry, in a strongly worded statement, expressed concern over the potential escalation of the conflict and the broader implications for regional stability.

The Russian Deputy Foreign Minister, Sergey Ryabkov, emphasized the "extremely dangerous" situation stemming from Israel's ongoing strikes against Iran. He underscored the need for a cessation of military operations to prevent further escalation [1].

Russia's stance is a delicate balancing act, as it maintains strong ties with both Israel and Iran. The recent strikes by Israel, which targeted Iranian nuclear and military facilities, have put Moscow in an awkward position. While Russia has condemned the Israeli strikes, it has not offered any concrete military support to Iran [2].

The Russian Foreign Ministry's cautionary note to the United States is part of a broader effort to de-escalate tensions in the Middle East. In a phone call with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Russian President Vladimir Putin emphasized the importance of resuming diplomatic negotiations to resolve the Iran nuclear issue. He also offered to mediate the conflict to prevent further escalation [2].

The escalation in the Middle East has broader geopolitical implications, potentially distracting global attention from the ongoing war in Ukraine. Some observers in Moscow argue that the focus on the Israel-Iran conflict could weaken Western support for Ukraine, playing into Russia's hands [2].

As the situation remains fluid, the international community will continue to monitor developments closely. The United States, which has military bases in the region, will be under scrutiny as it navigates its relationship with both Israel and Iran.

References:
[1] https://www.newsweek.com/russia-issues-nuclear-warning-israel-iran-conflictextremely-dangerous-2086193
[2] https://apnews.com/article/russia-israel-iran-attack-mideast-nuclear-us-d5374c53a8b7188f29ffdc25486f5b55