MOSCOW: Russia has unequivocally denounced the recent U.S. threats to use military force against Iran, referring to them as “unacceptable,” and cautioned America not to seek justifications for further hostilities under the guise of insecurity.
In a statement released by the Ministry, Maria Zakharova, the spokeswoman of the Russian Foreign Ministry, deemed the American military operation threats against Iran absolutely “unacceptable” and cautioned the U.S. not to use the turmoil in Iran as an excuse for a new military strike.
Consequences of these actions, according to Zakharova, would be so drastic that not only the region but the entire planet would be affected, as the security situation worldwide would be at risk.
“Military action in Iran will cause a disaster in the region and threaten the safety of the world.” Russia also took a stand against the imposition of trade sanctions as a means of pressuring the Iranian government, and also against the so-called “economic blackmail” of Iran.
The Ministry further mentioned that the protests currently going on in Iran, which are being sustained mainly by foreign interference, are now beginning to run out of steam. The Russian Government expressed a wish that the Iranian situation would return to normal in the coming months.
Russia’s reaction highlights the fact that differences between the two countries persist and that they hold opposed views on the best way to address the situation in Iran. The U.S. has by and large kept signalling the option of military force, while Russia has consistently pushed for diplomatic means and the non-interference policy in Iran’s domestic issues.
The situation has been taken to another level in Iran, where the people have been calling for political reforms and a halt to the repressive measures of the government. The Iranian authorities have been put under intense pressure, both in their own country and abroad, to change their stance regarding the protests.
Trump encourages Iranians to continue protests, says help is on the way
Earlier, US President Donald Trump has released a statement in support of anti-government protests in Iran, urging the country’s “patriotic people” to keep on with their demonstrations and even storm the government offices.
Trump, who was posting on the social media site he owns, Truth Social, said that Protesters must not only “keep protesting” but also “take their institutions.” At the same time, he issued a warning to the rulers by stating, “Do not forget the names of the murderers and the oppressors, they will suffer greatly.”
The former president’s message coincides with the widespread use of force by the Iranian government against the demonstrators who have been protesting the suppression and violations of human rights. The protests that erupted a few weeks ago have led to the widest ever participation in the demand for the removal of the current regime.
Trump also mentioned that he had forbidden all future contacts with Iranian officials except in the case of the killing of protesters. “Help is on the way,” Trump added implying that there were more and more countries providing their support to the demonstrators.
The announcement has led to the revival of the discussions regarding the stance of the world towards the internal strife in Iran, with numerous analysts pointing out the increasing global pressure on the Iranian government as one of the factors.
So far, the Iranian administration has not replied to Trump’s statements but the unrest continues to put the focus on the issues of liberty, human rights, and government accountability.
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