Moscow (TDI): Russia sharply criticized Israel’s ongoing military strikes against Iran on Tuesday, calling them illegal under international law and urging all parties to seek a diplomatic path forward.
The Russian Foreign Ministry said in a statement that Iran has repeatedly shown a willingness to adhere to the nuclear non-proliferation treaty and engage in dialogue with US officials.
The ministry underscored the importance of transparency, stating that Moscow expects the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to release a clear and independent assessment of the damage inflicted on Iran’s nuclear infrastructure by the Israeli attacks.
Speaking to reporters, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov warned of a “galloping escalation” in the conflict and said Israel appeared uninterested in mediation efforts at this stage.
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He added that Russia’s offer to serve as a mediator “remains on the table,” but the present moment showed no indication of a move toward peace.
China also weighed in forcefully. President Xi Jinping, speaking during a meeting with Uzbekistan’s president in Kazakhstan, said he was “deeply concerned” by Israel’s military campaign and the growing instability it has sparked across the Middle East.
“Israel’s military actions have triggered a sudden rise in regional tensions,” Xi said. “We strongly oppose any move that violates another country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.”
Beijing also directly blamed US President Donald Trump for escalating the situation, accusing him of “pouring oil on the fire” through inflammatory rhetoric and veiled threats against Iranian leadership.
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The United Arab Emirates joined the growing chorus of regional voices calling for restraint. In a statement, UAE Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed warned that “reckless and uncalculated steps” taken by either party risked pushing the conflict beyond the borders of Iran and Israel.
UAE President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan held a phone conversation with Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian, during which he reportedly offered support and reaffirmed the UAE’s commitment to easing tensions.
The president also emphasized that the Gulf state was engaging in intense backchannel diplomacy to help prevent further escalation.
Addressing the European Parliament in Strasbourg on Tuesday, Jordan’s King Abdullah II issued one of the most direct warnings yet. He cautioned that Israel’s decision to expand its military operations to include Iran risked triggering a broader regional war.
“There is no telling where the boundaries of this battleground will end,” the King said. “And that, my friends, is a threat to people everywhere.”
Farkhund Yousafzai is an Associate Editor at The Diplomatic Insight.
