Moscow vs. Washington — the rhetoric just escalated. Is this the start of a broader geopolitical rupture?
Russia sharply condemned the United States and Israel on Saturday, accusing them of recklessly escalating the conflict with Iran and pushing the Middle East toward what it called a potential “catastrophe.”
President Vladimir Putin convened a video conference with members of Russia’s Security Council to assess the situation following the strikes, according to Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov.
In a strongly worded statement, Russia’s Foreign Ministry accused Washington and Tel Aviv of launching a “dangerously irresponsible attack” that risks triggering humanitarian, economic and even radiological consequences across the region.
“By plunging the Middle East into an abyss of uncontrolled escalation, they are actually encouraging countries around the world… to acquire more serious means against emerging threats,” the ministry said.
The remarks reflect Moscow’s concern that the strikes — which US President Donald Trump described as necessary to eliminate security threats and weaken Iran’s leadership — could spiral into a wider regional war.
Dmitry Medvedev, deputy chairman of Russia’s Security Council and a former president, added a pointed historical comparison. Writing in English, Medvedev accused Washington of using diplomacy as “a cover” and questioned America’s long-term endurance.
“The US is just 249 years old. The Persian Empire was founded over 2500 years ago,” he wrote. “Let’s see what happens in 100 years or so…”
Russia has positioned itself as a vocal critic of Western military interventions in the region, while maintaining close ties with Tehran. The Kremlin has repeatedly warned that military escalation could destabilize global energy markets and deepen security fractures across the Middle East.
With missile exchanges already under way and diplomatic channels strained, Moscow’s language signals that the crisis is no longer confined to Washington and Tehran — it is rapidly taking on broader geopolitical dimensions.
