Russia says Israel's attack on Iran was unprovoked and illegal

13/6/2025 18:31

Russia said on Friday that Israeli strikes on Iran were unprovoked and in breach of the United Nations charter, accusing Israel of wrecking diplomatic efforts to strike a deal to allay Western concerns about Tehran's nuclear programme.



Israel launched strikes against Iran on Friday, saying it had targeted nuclear facilities, ballistic missile factories and military commanders during the start of an operation to prevent Tehran from building a nuclear weapon.



Initial reports suggested that the Bushehr nuclear power plant, which Russia built, had not been hit.



"Russia is concerned and condemns the sharp escalation in tensions between Israel and Iran," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told state media.



President Vladimir Putin was getting real-time reports on the situation from Russia's SVR foreign intelligence service and the foreign and defence ministries, Peskov said.



In a detailed statement drawn up at Putin's behest, the Foreign Ministry fiercely condemned Israel and blamed the West for whipping up what it called anti-Iranian "hysteria."