Russia on Saturday condemned a series of overnight strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities and urged all parties in the region to “exercise maximum restraint” to avoid a broader conflict, according to a statement released by the Foreign Ministry in Moscow.
“Actions that jeopardize the safety of nuclear infrastructure in the Middle East are absolutely unacceptable and could trigger a dangerous escalation,” the ministry said. It added that Russia would raise the matter at the United Nations and consult with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
Iranian state broadcaster IRIB reported that explosions were heard near a uranium-enrichment plant at Natanz and at a smaller facility outside the central city of Isfahan shortly after midnight local time. The network showed footage of shattered windows and rescue workers but said damage was “limited” and that there were no casualties.
No government has taken responsibility for the attacks. Regional analysts have pointed to Israel, which has repeatedly vowed to prevent Tehran from acquiring a nuclear weapon, but Israeli officials declined to comment when asked by reporters on Saturday.
The IAEA said in an e-mail to journalists that its inspectors were not on site at the time of the blasts and that the agency is “seeking clarifications from the Iranian authorities.” An IAEA source told SourceRated that preliminary communication from Tehran indicated “no radiological release.”
Russia’s call for restraint comes amid heightened tensions over the war in Ukraine and stalled talks to revive the 2015 Iran nuclear agreement. “The Kremlin wants to project itself as a stabilizing actor in the Middle East while it faces growing isolation in Europe,” said Tatiana Stanovaya, a non-resident scholar at the Carnegie Russia Eurasia Center.
Washington reacted cautiously. A senior U.S. official, speaking on background, said the Biden administration had “no foreknowledge” of the operation and was “assessing the situation.” European Union foreign-policy chief Josep Borrell urged all sides to “avoid steps that could undermine diplomatic efforts.”
Military analysts warned that further covert attacks on Iran’s nuclear installations could prompt Tehran to accelerate enrichment or retaliate against Israeli or U.S. interests in the Gulf. “Every time a shadow strike occurs, Iran believes it has less to lose by crossing Western red lines,” said Behnam Ben Taleblu, a senior fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies.
Russia indicated it would push for an emergency meeting of the U.N. Security Council if additional attacks occur. “We must not allow another flashpoint to ignite when the international order is already under severe strain,” the Foreign Ministry said.
Whether the incident galvanizes renewed diplomacy or sparks a cycle of reprisals may hinge on how quickly investigators can establish responsibility—and whether Tehran chooses to respond in kind.