USA and Israel Strike Iran: Dangerous Escalation Begins, Russia Says

Russia has strongly condemned the airstrikes carried out by the USA on several Iranian nuclear facilities on June 22, which followed attacks by Israel on the Islamic Republic. This was stated in a statement by the Russian Foreign Ministry.

“Regardless of the arguments used to justify this, the irresponsible decision to subject the territory of a sovereign state to missile and bombing strikes grossly violates international law, the UN Charter, and the resolutions of the UN Security Council, which have previously categorically deemed such actions unacceptable. It is particularly concerning that the strikes were carried out by a country that is a permanent member of the UN Security Council,” the statement read.

The consequences of this operation, including radiological impacts, still need to be assessed. However, it is already evident that a dangerous escalation has begun, which carries the risk of further destabilizing regional and global security. In the Middle East, which is already beset by numerous crises, the risk of conflict escalation has significantly increased.

It is especially troubling that the damage inflicted on Iran's nuclear facilities affects the global non-proliferation regime based on the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons. The attacks on Iran have caused immense harm to the treaty and the credibility of the IAEA's verification and monitoring system.

We expect a swift, professional, and clear response from the agency's leadership, without attempts to evade responsibility or hide behind political 'balances'. An objective report from the IAEA Director General is necessary, which will be discussed at a special session of the agency that is scheduled to take place very soon.

Of course, the UN Security Council must also respond. It is essential to collectively reject the confrontational actions of the United States and Israel. We call for an end to the aggression and urge increased efforts to return the situation to a political and diplomatic track for the creation of conditions,” the statement continued.

It should be noted that U.S. President Donald Trump announced that the country’s Air Force struck three Iranian nuclear facilities. According to him, one of the aircraft involved in the bombing dropped a 'full load of bombs' on the Fordow uranium enrichment plant. Alongside Fordow, facilities in Natanz and Isfahan were also targeted. Thus, the USA has joined the military operation against Iran led by Israel.

“All aircraft are safely returning home. Congratulations to our great American military. There are no other armed forces in the world that can do this,” he wrote on Truth Social. Trump added that “now is the time for peace.”

“This is a historic moment for the USA, Israel, and the world. Iran must now agree to end this war,” Trump stated. He added that “the USA is prepared to strike again if the issue with Iran is not resolved.”

“There will either be peace, or Iran will face a much more serious tragedy,” the U.S. President noted. According to him, any response from Iran against the USA will meet with greater force than what occurred today.