Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova has specifically expressed concern over the safety of Russian personnel in Iran.
In a briefing at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum, she asserted, “We are particularly worried about the security of Russian specialists working at the Bushehr power plant.”
According to Russian President, Vladimir Putin, over 200 Russian workers are involved in building two more nuclear reactors in Bushehr. “We agreed with the Israeli leadership that their security will be ensured,” he said.
Zakharova also called on Israel to immediately halt its attacks on Iran’s nuclear infrastructure, warning that such actions endanger the safety of Russian specialists working at one of Iran’s nuclear power plants.
“We consider the Israeli side’s attacks on peaceful nuclear facilities in the Islamic Republic of Iran to be absolutely unacceptable.
“This is illegal from the point of view of international law, creates unacceptable threats to international security and pushes the world towards a nuclear catastrophe.”
Maria Zakharova
Additionally, she warned the US against any military involvement in the ongoing confrontation.
She pointed out that military intervention by the US in the situation, would be an “extremely dangerous step with truly unpredictable negative consequences.”
Calling the Israeli strikes “unprovoked aggression,” Zakharova condemned attempts to justify them with what she described as “imaginary non-proliferation concerns.” She called such reasoning “outright cynicism.”
Zakharova’s warnings came amid escalating hostilities between Iran and Israel, which intensified after Israel launched a wide-ranging military operation last Friday, targeting Iranian nuclear facilities, military sites, and top scientific personnel.
Iran, which denies seeking nuclear weapons, responded with missile and drone strikes.
According to the Iranian Health Ministry, over 220 people have been killed and at least 1,800 injured.
Despite international calls for restraint, both sides continue to exchange fire, with Israel vowing to eliminate Iran’s nuclear capabilities and Tehran pledging to keep retaliating until the bombardments stop.
Meanwhile, Alexei Likhachev, the Head of the Russian state nuclear corporation Rosatom, told reporters that several dozen Russian workers had already been evacuated from Bushehr and others could follow suit quickly if necessary.
Likhachev also warned that an Israeli strike on the Bushehr reactor could trigger a catastrophe comparable to the 1986 Chernobyl nuclear disaster.
He voiced hope that the Israeli leadership will “have sufficient understanding and common sense not to allow even an accidental hit.”
Russia Committed To Facilitating Peace Process
Moreover, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman, Maria Zakharova said during the briefing that Russia is committed to facilitating the mediation process in “every possible way.”
“The priority today is to halt the escalation of violence, achieve a ceasefire, and restore peace.
“These steps are crucial for creating the conditions to bring the situation back to the negotiating table.”
Maria Zakharova
She stated that Russian Foreign Minister, Sergey Lavrov has also been active, communicating with the Foreign Ministers of Egypt, Iran, Turkey and Oman.
Zakharova disclosed that the current crisis in the Middle East was a topic of discussion in Lavrov’s conversations with the Azerbaijani Foreign Minister, as well as during negotiations with Indonesia’s Foreign Minister. “These dialogues are ongoing,” she iterated.
“We hope that all parties recognize that there is no viable alternative to seeking mutually acceptable negotiated solutions to the problems at hand.
“Our support for a resolution concerning the Iranian nuclear program will always be grounded in international law, the principle of equal and indivisible security, and a balanced consideration of mutual interests.”
Maria Zakharova
Russian President, Vladimir Putin has engaged in telephone discussions with both the Prime Minister of Israel and the President of Iran immediately after the outbreak of the conflict on June 13, 2025, and offered to mediate a resolution between the two sides.
He also spoke with his US counterpart and subsequently held conversations with the leaders of Turkey and the UAE.
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