In a strong response to recent Israeli airstrikes on Iran, Russia on Saturday expressed serious concern over what it called an “explosive escalation” between the two countries. The Russian government emphasised the need for an immediate de-escalation to avoid further destabilising the Middle East and called on all involved parties to prevent the situation from spiralling into what could become a catastrophic conflict.
Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova stated that Russia is ready to work with any involved parties to reduce the tension and urged nations to stop provoking Iran into retaliatory measures.
Zakharova noted that without careful handling, the risk of “uncontrolled escalation” remains high, which could lead to unpredictable consequences for regional stability and security.
Earlier, the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed they had conducted a series of precise airstrikes against several military targets in Iran. IDF spokesperson Brigadier General Daniel Hagar explained that the strikes, which were carried out in three waves alongside the Israeli Air Force, were a direct response to a recent ballistic missile attack on Israel that occurred on October 1.
According to Hagar, these targets in Iran posed an immediate threat to Israel’s security. Zakharova highlighted that the Israeli Air Force targeted military installations in the Iranian provinces of Tehran, Ilam, and Khuzestan, reportedly with coordination from the United States.
Iran claimed its air defence systems intercepted a significant number of the incoming strikes, which were on high alert following the initial attacks. While two Iranian military personnel were reported injured, there were no further reports of major casualties, particularly among civilians, including the Russian community living in Iran.
The Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson added that the longstanding Palestinian-Israeli conflict is a fundamental cause behind the ongoing hostilities. Zakharova pointed out that unresolved issues within the conflict—especially the lack of progress on decisions made by the UN Security Council and General Assembly—have contributed to escalating tensions across the region.
Russia also voiced its concern over the violence spilling into Lebanon, where recent Israeli airstrikes on residential areas have led to civilian casualties. According to Zakharova, the Israeli military conducted attacks on densely populated neighbourhoods in Beirut and other Lebanese cities. These strikes reportedly resulted in the deaths and injuries of numerous civilians, including journalists.
Zakharova specifically mentioned an incident on October 25 in which the Israeli Air Force targeted a residential area in Hasbaya, a southern Lebanese city. The attack claimed the lives of two employees from Al-Mayadeen TV and a cameraman from Al-Manar TV, both regional media outlets known for their critical coverage of Israeli actions.
Other journalists on the scene were also injured in the attack. Zakharova condemned these strikes as intentional attempts to silence voices offering alternative perspectives on the Middle Eastern conflict, underscoring that journalists should not become targets in any military conflict.
Since the beginning of the recent military operation in Gaza, the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs reported that approximately 140 media workers have been killed.
Moscow condemned these attacks on journalists as actions aimed at stifling coverage that does not align with certain political narratives. Zakharova stressed the importance of respecting the safety and neutrality of media personnel, even during intense military operations, to ensure that coverage from the conflict zones remains fair and unrestricted.
Follow us
