Russian Presidential Press Secretary Dmitry Peskov Photo: Sergei Bobylev/TASS
On Wednesday, the Kremlin expressed concern over the escalating situation in the Middle East and urged all parties to exercise restraint, according to Reuters.
“The situation is developing in the most alarming way. We call on all sides to show restraint in the context of what is happening,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov stated, according to state media.
Peskov also emphasized that Russia has maintained contacts with all parties involved and condemned any actions leading to civilian casualties.
Following Iran’s unprecedented missile strike on Israel, the Israeli military announced on Wednesday that ground forces, including infantry and armored units, had joined operations in southern Lebanon, increasing pressure on Hezbollah as Israel prepares to respond to Tehran.
In early September, the Kremlin reaffirmed that Iran is a key partner for Russia and that the two countries are continuing dialogue in various areas. According to reports from The Wall Street Journal, Iran has supplied Russia with short-range ballistic missiles, which has raised concerns in the U.S. and Europe.
Peskov, addressing these reports, acknowledged that Russian officials had seen the media claims but stressed that not all such reports are accurate, while not denying the potential transfer of Iranian missiles to Russia.
Tehran and Moscow have strengthened their ties since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, with Iran supplying its Shahed drones to Russian forces.
Iranian officials have denied the missile transfer claims, calling them “psychological warfare,” as stated by senior Revolutionary Guard commander Fazlollah Nozari. However, Washington has warned that any such deliveries would signal a sudden escalation in the war in Ukraine.
