In a move that should surprise no one familiar with Moscow’s track record, the Russian Foreign Ministry lashed out Friday at Israel for its preemptive strike on Iranian military sites, calling the operation a “clear violation” of international law.
The statement, issued hours after Israel’s air raid targeted Iranian infrastructure tied to its nuclear weapons program, described the strike as “unprovoked military aggression against a sovereign UN member state, its citizens, peaceful cities, and nuclear energy infrastructure.”
Moscow, conveniently ignoring its own bloody invasion of Ukraine, accused Israel of endangering global peace and undermining diplomatic progress.
“We strongly condemn the military actions undertaken by the State of Israel on the night of June 13,” the Russian ministry declared, calling the operation a breach of the U.N. Charter and international norms.
Russia’s denunciation dripped with hypocrisy, especially given that Vladimir Putin’s own military continues to bomb civilian areas in Ukraine and actively supports Iranian weapons development.
The Russian Foreign Ministry claimed the timing of the Israeli strike was “particularly cynical,” since talks between Tehran and Washington—meant to curtail Iran’s nuclear ambitions—are still technically ongoing. However, as President Trump pointed out, Iran had grown increasingly hostile and uncooperative in the lead-up to Israel’s defensive action.
“I don’t know if you know, but I gave them a 60-day warning, and today is day 61,” Trump said Friday.
“They should now come to the table to make a deal before it’s too late. It will be too late for them.”
Trump was referring to private warnings he issued to Iran through intermediaries, urging them to negotiate in good faith—or face serious consequences. He noted that Iran’s previous lead negotiators, who had been more amenable to dialogue, were no longer part of the equation.
“You know the people I was dealing with are dead, the hardliners,” he added, referencing top Iranian figure Ali Shamkhani, who is now either dead or critically wounded. “Tehran has an opportunity to send a more moderate envoy to Oman if it chooses.”
Moscow’s loud condemnation of Israel has less to do with principle and more to do with preserving its influence in the Middle East. According to Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, the Kremlin sees the Israeli-Iranian conflict as a direct threat to its diplomatic leverage in the region—particularly its ability to act as a go-between for Iran and the West.
“Israel’s military campaign tests Iran’s strategic partnership with Russia, and it potentially deprives the Kremlin of a valuable card when it comes to negotiating with Washington over Ukraine,” RFE/RL reported.
In fact, Russia had just offered to help dispose of Iran’s dangerous stockpile of enriched uranium—a deal that now looks to be off the table after Israel exposed the true extent of Tehran’s nuclear ambitions.
Additionally, Russia is heavily dependent on Iranian drones for its war in Ukraine. The Ukrainian Foreign Ministry did not hesitate to highlight this awkward alliance, calling out Iran for supplying weapons that are “used to kill Ukrainians” and reminding the world that Iran is “the source of many problems in the Middle East and beyond.”
Following the Russian Foreign Ministry’s statement, other Kremlin loyalists chimed in to attack Israel. Konstantin Kosachev, deputy speaker of the Russian parliament and a close Putin ally, said:
“Israel’s actions cannot be justified from a legal, political, military, or moral point of view. The only hope, albeit illusory, of avoiding a full-scale war is a consolidated condemnation of this operation by the international community.”
Putin himself reportedly called both Netanyahu and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, signaling his intent to play mediator—though few in the West are likely to take that offer seriously given Moscow’s involvement in Iran’s military buildup and regional destabilization.
As the situation unfolds, one thing is becoming increasingly clear: President Trump’s warning about Iran and its intentions was right on the money.
Trump consistently said diplomacy was the preferred path—but he also emphasized that strength must back diplomacy, especially when dealing with bad actors like Tehran. The fact that Israel acted just one day after the end of Trump’s 60-day ultimatum shows coordination, purpose, and urgency.
Meanwhile, Russia is doing everything it can to prop up Iran, not because it believes in peace, but because it needs Iran’s weapons and regional chaos to maintain its own grip on power.
It’s no coincidence that the very regime helping Moscow wage war on Ukraine is the same one threatening to ignite a wider conflict in the Middle East—with Russia rushing to defend it.
Israel is standing up to an increasingly aggressive, nuclear-hungry regime. President Trump is backing diplomacy—but won’t shy away from warning that force may be necessary if Iran continues to play games.
And now we see who lines up to oppose that stand: Russia, far-left Democrats, and America’s enemies abroad.
The divide has never been clearer. Will the world back a free democracy defending itself—or a radical regime backed by Putin’s propaganda and ballistic missiles?
Stay alert. The days ahead may bring even more revelations—and more reasons to question who the real peace-seekers are.
