Iran Israel war: Is Russia joining the conflict?

Iran-Israel conflict seems to be escalating with each passing day. While President Donald Trump has asked Tehran to surrender, the USA has not yet taken active part in Israeli strikes. Russia has so far warned the White House against direct involvement of Washington in the middle-east crisis. Moscow has said that there is no military solution to issues around Iran's nuclear programme. Russia has also asked Israel to immediately halt air attacks on Bushehr nuclear plant where Russian experts are working.

Maria Zakharova, a spokeswoman for the Russian Foreign Ministry, said Israeli attacks on peaceful nuclear facilities were unacceptable and illegal.

Russian President Vladimir Putin, in his comments early on Thursday, was defensive when asked what more Moscow would do to help Tehran. Putin said it had not asked for military assistance, that ties were strong, and that the continued presence of Russian workers building more nuclear facilities at Bushehr showed Russia's support for Iran.


But Putin also stressed the importance of Russia's ties with Israel - even though he later condemned its behaviour in a phone call with Chinese President Xi Jinping - and said he believed a diplomatic solution that would satisfy Israel's concerns about its own security and Iran could be found.

Russia signed a strategic partnership with Iran in January and also has a relationship with Israel, although that has been strained by Moscow's war in Ukraine. A Russian offer to mediate in the Israel-Iran conflict has so far not been taken up.

Mikhail Bogdanov, another Russian deputy foreign minister, recoiled on Thursday when asked by Reuters about the possibility of the U.S. joining Israel's war with Iran. "God forbid, the consequences would be hard to predict," he said.

FAQs

Q1. Who is President of Russia?
A1. President of Russia is Vladimir Putin.

Q2. Who is Prime Minister of Israel?
A2. Prime Minister of Israel is Benjamin Netanyahu.