Russia has issued a stern warning regarding U.S. threats to strike Iran’s nuclear facilities, cautioning that such an attack could lead to ‘catastrophic’ consequences for the region.
The Kremlin’s concerns follow Donald Trump’s vow to bomb Iran unless it agrees to a new nuclear deal with the U.S.
In a tense interview with NBC News, the former U.S. president threatened military action and harsh economic sanctions against Tehran if it refused to negotiate.
“If they don’t make a deal, there will be bombing,” Trump stated. “It will be bombing the likes of which they have never seen before.”
Moscow, which has been strengthening its ties with Iran, condemned Trump’s threats.
“Threats are indeed being heard, ultimatums are also being heard,” Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov told the Russian journal International Affairs in an interview, excerpts of which were published on Tuesday.
“We consider such methods inappropriate, we condemn them, and we view them as an attempt by the U.S. to impose its will on Iran.”
The warning reflects escalating tensions between Russia and the U.S., despite the Kremlin’s careful approach to Trump, with whom President Vladimir Putin has worked to rebuild relations.
Donald Trump vowed to bomb Iran unless it agrees to a new nuclear deal with Washington
The warning signals growing tensions between Russia and the US despite the Kremlin’s careful approach to Trump, with whom President Vladimir Putin has sought to rebuild relations
Pictured: An Iranian nuclear power plant stands March 30, 2005 some 322 km south of Tehran, in Natanz, Iran
Russia has positioned itself as a potential mediator, having forged a strategic partnership with Iran earlier in January.
However, Ryabkov made it clear that Moscow views Trump’s rhetoric as a dangerous escalation.
“The consequences of this, especially if the strikes target nuclear infrastructure, could be catastrophic for the entire region,” he warned.
Trump’s hardline stance follows his 2018 withdrawal from the 2015 deal between Iran and world powers, which had imposed strict limits on Tehran’s controversial nuclear activities in exchange for sanctions relief—an action that heightened tensions and raised fears of conflict.
While Iran maintains that its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes and denies any intent to develop an atomic bomb, Washington remains skeptical.
Ryabkov emphasized that Trump’s recent remarks only served to “complicate the situation” regarding Iran.
“The consequences of this, especially if the strikes target nuclear infrastructure, could be catastrophic for the entire region,” Ryabkov warned.
“While there is still time and the ‘train has not left,’ we must intensify our efforts to reach a reasonable agreement. Russia is ready to offer its services to Washington, Tehran, and all those interested,” he added.
This comes after Iran threatened to target British forces if Trump follows through with an attack on the Middle Eastern nation in the absence of a new nuclear deal.
Earlier this month, Trump sent a letter to Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei urging Tehran to negotiate a new nuclear deal.
The U.S. President warned, “There are two ways Iran can be handled: militarily, or you make a deal.”
In response, Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Qalibaf declared on Friday, “If the Americans attack the sanctity of Iran, the entire region will explode like a spark in an ammunition dump.”
“Their bases, and those of their allies, will not be safe,” Qalibaf added during a live speech at the annual Al-Quds Day, which marks the last Friday of Ramadan.
Iran has threatened to strike American bases and ‘blow up’ the entire Middle East if Donald Trump follows through on his warning of military action in the absence of a new nuclear deal. The image shows an Iranian rocket launched during a drill earlier last year
Iran threatened to target British forces if Donald Trump attacks the Middle Eastern nation in the absence of a new nuclear deal (pictured: Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei)
A senior Iranian military official has warned that Tehran would target the joint U.S.-UK base on Diego Garcia in the Chagos Islands if Trump carries out an attack on Iran.
“There will be no distinction between British or American forces if Iran is attacked from any base in the region or within the range of Iranian missiles,” he told The Telegraph on Saturday.
The official further stated, “When the time comes, it won’t matter whether you’re an American, British, or Turkish soldier – if your base is used by Americans, you will be targeted.”
He also added, “And if they attempt to incite unrest within the country, as in previous years, the Iranian people themselves will handle it.”
Over the weekend, Donald Trump lashed out at Vladimir Putin after the Russian leader dismissed U.S. efforts to broker a ceasefire in Ukraine, calling Kyiv’s government “illegitimate” and effectively rejecting negotiations.
In a heated response, Trump expressed his frustration, admitting he was “p***** off” by Putin’s comments, which undermined Washington’s attempts to end the bloody conflict.
Trump warned that if he failed to secure a peace deal with Moscow, and if he held Russia responsible, he would impose significant secondary tariffs on Russian oil.
“If Russia and I can’t reach a deal to stop the bloodshed in Ukraine, and if I believe Russia is at fault… I will put secondary tariffs on oil, on all oil coming out of Russia,” Trump said, adding that the tariffs could be as high as 50 percent.
Despite his anger, Trump suggested that tensions with the Kremlin could ease if Putin “does the right thing,” and once again emphasized his close relationship with the Russian president, stating he has “a very good relationship with [Putin].”
However, the Kremlin has kept its response under wraps, with Putin yet to directly address Trump’s fiery remarks.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Monday that Russia remains committed to “restoring” relations with Washington, which he claimed had been “damaged by the Biden administration” following Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine.
He also confirmed that Putin remains in “open contact” with Trump, with another call reportedly scheduled between the two this week.
