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Russian envoy warns of risk of wider war over Israel–Iran strikes, says Moscow ready to help mediate
Summary
A Russian ambassador told reporters Moscow is prepared to facilitate talks between Iran and Israel but saw little immediate appetite in Israel for mediation and warned that strikes on Iranian nuclear sites risked "nuclear leakage" and a wider regional conflagration.
The Russian delegation told reporters it was prepared to facilitate or support efforts to mediate between Iran and Israel after an outbreak of strikes on Iranian nuclear sites, but said it did not expect Israel to accept mediation within 24 to 48 hours.
The envoy said President Vladimir Putin and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan had both offered to mediate. “The offer was, indeed, made, both by president Putin and by president Erdogan. But I don't see any appetite, for mediation on the part of Israel at least at this time,” the ambassador said.
The ambassador described recent strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities as highly risky. He said the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has not been able to confirm the development of a nuclear weapon in Iran and warned of the possibility of “nuclear leakage” and radiation if nuclear sites were struck. “The risk of, at least, nuclear ... radiation,” he said, adding that the conventional exchange raised the possibility of a wider confrontation.
When asked whether the United States had consulted Russia after a U.S. public warning that all of Tehran should evacuate, the envoy said he believed that statement had been made without direct consultation with Moscow. He also said President Putin had spoken directly with President Trump about Russia's readiness to assist. “That was said directly to president Trump. So in that sense, yes, we are coordinating,” he said.
The delegation said that Iran was not in a position to negotiate while hostilities were escalating and that any resumption of talks would depend on a cessation of attacks. The ambassador said Russia was doing “what we can” in the situation but that mediation required the parties' agreement to engage.
No Security Council decision or formal mediation mission was announced at the briefing.
