Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters that Tehran had made no such request to Russia. Speaking during a regular media briefing, he said, “In this case, there have been no requests from the Iranian side.”
Meanwhile, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said Moscow still sees no evidence that Iran is developing nuclear weapons. He stressed that claims about Iran building nuclear arms have been used as the main justification for the ongoing conflict.
“We still see no evidence that Iran was developing nuclear weapons, which was the main, if not the only, justification for the war,” Lavrov said earlier this week.
Lavrov also warned that the war against Iran could lead to serious consequences for the wider region. According to him, the conflict may encourage not only Iran but also neighboring countries to start seeking nuclear weapons.
“This war unfolded against Iran may cause not just Tehran, but other countries as well, to develop nuclear weapons,” Lavrov said. He added that similar thinking could quickly appear in Arab states near Iran.
The Russian foreign minister explained that a war meant to stop nuclear weapons could actually create the opposite effect. He said the situation could push more countries to consider developing such weapons for their own security.
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Lavrov also spoke with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and urged Iran to ensure the safety of civilians and public infrastructure across the region. The Russian Foreign Ministry said the call focused on preventing further escalation and protecting people living in the conflict zone.
The phone call took place after Russian President Vladimir Putin agreed to pass along the security concerns of several Gulf countries. These countries have reportedly faced retaliatory attacks from Iran during the recent escalation.
During the discussion, Lavrov emphasized the importance of protecting civilian lives and infrastructure in every country in the region. He also repeated Russia’s position that tensions should be reduced and military force should be avoided.
Russia has repeatedly called for diplomacy and de-escalation as the conflict in the Middle East threatens to expand and involve more countries.
