Israel Iran Conflict: Russia warns US against “military intervention” in the Middle East

New Delhi (India) June 20: Amid rumours that Washington is considering joining Israel in the fight, the Russian foreign ministry issued a warning that it would be "dangerous" if the US launched a military strike against Iran.

Russia's nuclear energy organization chief issued a warning Thursday that a "Chernobyl-style catastrophe" would result from an Israeli strike on Iran's Bushehr nuclear power facility.

Israel was also requested by the Russian foreign ministry to immediately stop airstrikes on the Bushehr nuclear reactor in Iran, which employs Russian experts.

Russian foreign ministry official Maria Zakharova said, “We would like to particularly warn Washington against military intervention in the situation, which would be an extremely dangerous step with truly unpredictable negative consequences” in a statement.

Iran's sole nuclear power station, Bushehr uses Russian fuel, which Russia takes back once it is used in order to lower the risk of nuclear proliferation.

After claiming that Israel had hit the site, an Israeli military spokeswoman later referred to this claim as "a mistake" and stated that he was unable to confirm or reject that the Bushehr site on the Gulf coast had been hit.

Moscow is one of Iran's most important friends. The two have signed a strategic partnership pact and are strengthening their military ties.

President Vladimir Putin is encouraging himself as a potential mediator while condemning Israel. But the Kremlin has not offered Iran military assistance in response to Israeli airstrikes.

According to Mr. Putin, Iran has not asked for military assistance in the week since Israel began its attacks despite their strong military connections. Putin said, “Our Iranian friends have not asked us about this." 

Since Friday, June 13, 2025, Israel and Iran have been engaged in a time of unprecedented change of direct military conflict as their long-simmering tensions escalated into open battle. Israel launched a huge effort of drone and fighter aircraft attacks throughout Iran, focusing on military and nuclear targets such as surface-to-air missile launchers, detecting radar sites, and facilities that manufacture surface-to-surface missiles. Iran's health ministry reports that at least 224 people have been killed and over 1,200 injured, primarily civilians, as a result of strikes on residential areas and fuel depots. According to reports, Israeli forces have claimed to have murdered a number of senior Iranian atomic scientists and military leaders.

Aadrika Tayal