Russia Warns U.S. Against Military Action in Iran-Israel Conflict, Offers to Mediate

In a sharp warning to Washington, Russia has cautioned the United States against any military intervention in the escalating conflict between Iran and Israel, labeling such a move as dangerously unpredictable. The warning comes amid speculation that the U.S. might join Israel in military strikes against Iran following recent hostilities between the two Middle Eastern nations.

Tensions soared after Israel carried out a major airstrike on Iranian targets last week, prompting Iran to respond with a barrage of missiles and drones. The situation has alarmed global powers, including Russia and China, who are now calling for immediate de-escalation and a return to diplomacy.

Russian foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova made Moscow’s stance clear, warning that any U.S. military involvement would be a grave mistake with unforeseeable consequences. "We would like to particularly warn Washington against military intervention in the situation," she said during a press briefing.

Former U.S. President Donald Trump, widely expected to be a key player in the upcoming elections, had stated that he was considering joining Israel’s military efforts against Iran. “I may do it, I may not do it,” Trump said, while also dismissing Russian President Vladimir Putin’s offer to mediate the crisis. “Let’s mediate Russia first,” Trump quipped, referring to the ongoing war in Ukraine.

Despite being a strategic partner of Iran and having signed a cooperation agreement earlier this year, Russia has not provided any military assistance to Tehran in this conflict. President Putin has clarified that Iran has not requested military aid, and that their agreement does not mandate such a response. "Our Iranian friends have not asked us about this," he said during a press conference, adding that their recent pact was not a defense treaty.

Putin has positioned himself as a potential mediator, having held phone conversations with both Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian. Russia, he said, is willing to facilitate peace talks if both parties are interested. His spokesman added that Moscow would be ready to send humanitarian aid to Iran if requested.

Adding to Russia’s diplomatic push, Putin recently spoke with Chinese President Xi Jinping. Both leaders strongly condemned Israel’s recent military actions and jointly called for an immediate ceasefire. Xi emphasized that armed conflict is not the solution and stressed the importance of avoiding further escalation or regional spillover.

China has echoed Russia’s offer for mediation, expressing hope that a political solution can be reached. Putin’s aide, Yuri Ushakov, said both Moscow and Beijing believe that peace can only be achieved through diplomatic efforts, not military force.

However, Western leaders remain skeptical of Putin’s intentions. Trump, along with French President Emmanuel Macron and others, has rejected Russia’s attempts to play peacemaker, citing Moscow’s own ongoing war in Ukraine as a reason to question its credibility.

Still, Russia’s firm stance and involvement in Middle East diplomacy highlight its attempt to maintain influence in a region where it has long balanced relationships with multiple players — including Israel, Iran, and Syria. But with the fall of its Syrian ally Bashar al-Assad and the growing instability in the region, Moscow now finds itself walking a diplomatic tightrope, trying to project itself as a stabilizing force while safeguarding its own interests.

As the Iran-Israel conflict continues to evolve, the global community watches closely — with hopes of de-escalation, and growing fears of a wider war if international powers become directly involved.