Russia warns US against striking Iran, calls for diplomacy
- 2 April, 11:03
Russia has warned the United States against striking Iran, saying such an attack would have “catastrophic” consequences. Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov, commenting on Trump’s threats to bomb Iran, called for peaceful negotiations between Tehran and Washington.
"We consider such methods inappropriate, we condemn them, we consider them a way for the US to impose its own will on the Iranian side,” Ryabkov said during an interview with International Affairs journal. The senior official stressed that such threats and ultimatums will only serve to increase tensions.
"There is still time, and the 'train has not left the station' yet. We must intensify efforts to reach a reasonable agreement. Russia is ready to offer its services to Washington, Tehran and all parties interested in resolving this issue."
Ryabkov’s remarks follows Donald Trump’s statement last week that US might consider bombing Iran if Tehran refuses to engage in direct negotiations over its nuclear program that has been the source of tension between the two countries.
Trump was commenting on Iranian president Masoud Pezeshkian’s statement on Sunday that Tehran would not engage in direct negotiations with Washington over its nuclear program. Last month, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov revealed that Russian President Vladimir Putin had agreed to mediate between Iran and the US.
