Russia has warned that any new U.S. military strike on Iran could have serious consequences, urging Washington to exercise restraint and seek a diplomatic solution to allow Tehran to continue its nuclear program peacefully.
Speaking in an interview with Saudi Arabia’s Al-Arabiya television, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov emphasized that previous strikes on Iranian nuclear sites monitored by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) carried “real risks of a nuclear incident.”
He added that no regional actor wants escalating tensions in the Middle East, describing any military action as “playing with fire.”
Lavrov’s comments came a day after indirect talks between U.S. and Iranian negotiators in Geneva aimed at defusing a growing crisis over Tehran’s nuclear ambitions.
While Iran agreed on a set of guiding principles during the discussions, U.S. officials said many details remain unresolved.
A senior U.S. official also indicated that Iran is expected to submit a written proposal to address the standoff.
Russia has maintained close contact with Iranian leaders and believes Tehran is committed to resolving the nuclear issue within the framework of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty.
Lavrov also warned that heightened tensions could undermine recent diplomatic progress between Iran and neighboring states, particularly Saudi Arabia.
The U.S. has meanwhile increased its military presence in the region, with national security advisers briefing that all deployed forces should be fully in place by mid-March.
The buildup includes aircraft, naval assets, and carrier strike groups positioned to conduct potential airstrikes, even as diplomacy continues.
Experts warn that the situation remains highly volatile, with the risk of regional destabilization if talks fail or military action is taken.
