Russia vows to closely work with Iran, 'strongly condemns' US-Israeli war

Russia has pledged to work closely with Iran to find peaceful solutions to the West Asia crisis within the framework of international law, while strongly condemning US and Israeli attacks on the Islamic Republic and praising the unity of the Iranian people in the face of external threats.

Russian Security Council Deputy Secretary Alexander Venediktov made the remarks during a meeting with Ali Bagheri, deputy secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council for international affairs, on the sidelines of the 21st Meeting of Secretaries of the Security Councils of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, on Thursday.

"We are witnessing a high level of foreign policy coordination between our countries under the current difficult circumstances, and we remain in regular contact at the highest levels," Venediktov said, stressing that a peaceful resolution to the  West Asian crisis would be pursued within the framework of international law.

The Russian official also said that his country "strongly condemns" the unprovoked war of aggression waged by a US-Israeli military coalition against the Islamic Republic on February 28.

"We express our condolences for the irreparable losses you suffered during the attacks by Washington and Tel Aviv against Iranian state officials and military commanders; they were selflessly serving the interests of the country and the Iranian people," Venediktov told Bagheri.

The Russian official said Moscow is aware that despite the extensive damage caused by the US and Israeli attacks, the Iranian people have not become divided and have demonstrated their unity in the face of the external threat.

Bagheri, who is leading the Iranian delegation at the SCO meeting, said that "US actions on the international stage have shown that they seek to turn the world into a kind of jungle where there is no place for law."

He stressed, however, that the resolute position of the Russian Federation has shown in practice that Moscow, relying on international law, will not allow the world to be turned into a jungle.

Bagheri also referred to Russia's recent veto of an anti-Iran draft resolution at the United Nations Security Council.

"In this context, we note that your country's smart position on vetoing the draft resolution, which was aimed at encouraging instability,  demonstrates that Russia acts as a guarantor of security," he told Venediktov.

Bagheri also said that Russia's strategic vision is to prevent the US from using the UN Security Council to legitimize its aggressive actions, and that any US adventurism within the international mechanism will be met with a "reciprocal response" from Moscow.

"Under these difficult circumstances, we see our friends' positions more clearly than in ordinary times. At a time when our people and country are facing US and Zionist aggression, the firm stance of our friends, our neighboring country Russia, both bilaterally and internationally, deserves appreciation," he said.

Iran's deputy security council secretary also noted that the Americans and Israelis have created threats against the Islamic Republic's security and national sovereignty.

"They have not only created threats against Iran's national security and sovereignty, but also against international law, as well as regional and global stability and security," Bagheri said.

Speaking separately at the meeting of the SCO member states' national security council secretaries, Bagheri said that during 40 days of unprovoked aggression, "savage crimes" were committed, including the assassination of military and civilian officials and attacks on peaceful nuclear facilities, as well as industrial, educational and healthcare infrastructure.

"The war was aimed precisely at striking this Asian convergence. The war against Iran marks the beginning of an assault on the Global South. This is a fundamentally imperialist and expansionist war intended to establish spheres of influence and absolute dominance over Persian Gulf energy resources to prevent Asia's growth and the emergence of middle powers," he said.

Bagheri said although the war began with Iran, it is not limited to Iran and would spread if met with passivity and inaction. "Any weak response is an invitation to more war," he warned.

Senior Russian official: US, Israel miscalculated in Iran aggression

Separately, the head of Russia's foreign intelligence service said the United States and Israel miscalculated in their "unprovoked aggression" against Iran, expecting a relatively easy victory that did not materialize.

Sergei Naryshkin, director of Russia's Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR), told the state-run TASS news agency that the Iranian people, government, and armed forces have shown courage and resistance in the face of attacks.

"The military conflict in the Persian Gulf region cannot be described as anything other than unprovoked aggression by Israel and the United States against an independent country – Iran," Naryshkin said.

Naryshkin dismissed statements by US officials suggesting that Iran's military capability had been degraded.

"Iran still has very significant military potential," the senior Russian intelligence official said.

Asked about the outlook for the war, Naryshkin said negotiations are ongoing, with Iran and the United States exchanging proposals for a peace agreement. However, he cautioned that an end to the hostilities is not yet in sight.

"Unfortunately, another wave of escalation cannot be ruled out," he said.

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