Russia and China Warn US Strikes on Iran Could Spark Global Conflict

Russia and China have strongly condemned the United States for launching strikes on Iranian nuclear sites, warning that the attacks could escalate into a wider global conflict and set a dangerous international precedent. These condemnations came just hours before Iran responded by firing missiles at a U.S. military base in Qatar on Monday, in retaliation for the earlier strikes.

Russian President Vladimir Putin, in a meeting with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi at the Kremlin, described the U.S. strikes as “unjustified” and “unprovoked aggression.” He emphasized that such actions were pushing the world toward a perilous tipping point and stated that Moscow was committed to helping the Iranian people, though he did not specify how that support would materialize.

China also condemned the U.S. attacks, as well as Israeli airstrikes on Iran, with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi asserting that pre-emptive strikes based on “possible future threats” sent the wrong message globally. He called on all parties to return to diplomatic dialogue, warning that continued escalation could destabilize the Middle East even further.

Tensions have soared dramatically in recent days, particularly following remarks by U.S. President Donald Trump and Israeli leaders openly considering the assassination of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and advocating for regime change. The Kremlin warned that such moves could plunge the region into full-scale war. During the Kremlin meeting, Araghchi reportedly handed Putin a message from Khamenei, which, according to an unnamed Iranian source speaking to Reuters, requested increased Russian support. However, Moscow has not confirmed receiving or responding to such a request.

Putin, addressing a separate event with elite military recruits, spoke about the broader threat of instability and foreign interference. He noted that extra-regional powers were being drawn into the conflict, which was bringing the world closer to a “very dangerous line.”

Despite having signed a 20-year strategic partnership agreement with Iran earlier in the year, Russia has not committed to providing military assistance to Tehran. The pact does not include any mutual defense clauses, allowing Moscow to maintain a cautious stance amid rising tensions. Iranian officials, speaking anonymously to Reuters, expressed frustration over the lack of concrete support from both Russia and China, despite repeated appeals.

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov declined to say whether Iran had officially requested weapons or military aid, but he reaffirmed that the strategic partnership between Moscow and Tehran remained intact and that Iran had every right to defend itself.

Meanwhile, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov emphasized that developments between the U.S. and Iran would not derail Russia-U.S. dialogue, particularly as President Trump seeks to de-escalate tensions with Moscow amid the ongoing war in Ukraine.

The situation has evoked memories of previous U.S.-led wars in the Middle East. At a United Nations Security Council session, Russian UN envoy Vassily Nebenzia compared the current U.S. narrative to the 2003 Iraq invasion, accusing Washington of spreading falsehoods once again.

In response to the escalating conflict, Russia, China, and Pakistan have jointly submitted a resolution to the UN calling for an immediate and unconditional ceasefire in the Middle East to prevent further deterioration.