Russia ‘not neutral’ in Iran war, Says envoy as Moscow backs Tehran
“Iran is making very precise hits on early warning radars or over-the-horizon radars,” said Dara Massicot of the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. “They’re doing this in a very targeted way. They’re going after command and control.”
Russian ambassador to the UK, Andrey Kelin, interviewed by Sky News. (Photo: video grab)
facebook sharing buttontwitter sharing buttonpinterest sharing buttonemail sharing buttonsms sharing buttonsharethis sharing button.
Russia says it is not neutral in the Iran war as Moscow expresses support for Tehran and calls for diplomacy.
Russian ambassador says Russia is “not neutral” in the war on Iran.
Moscow expresses sympathy and political support for Tehran.
Russia says Iran has not requested military assistance so far.
Iran previously asked Moscow to support its “legitimate rights in the face of aggression”.
Kremlin reiterates calls for an immediate ceasefire and diplomatic settlement.
In an interview with Sky News on Saturday March 7, Russia’s ambassador to the United Kingdom, Andrey Kelin, said Moscow is not neutral in the conflict involving Iran.
“We have all sympathies with Iran. They are neighbors. Historically, we have had very good relationship with Iran,” he said, adding: “But for the moment, it has been announced yesterday, Iran didn’t ask for any assistance or help.”
When asked whether Russia would consider providing assistance if Iran requested it, the ambassador emphasized Moscow’s preference for ending the fighting, stating, “Well, you know, we have not only sympathy for Iran, but we are also sympathetic with countries in the Persian Gulf. The best would be to stop immediately any aggression and implementation of force and come back to the peaceful solution.”
The Russian envoy also made clear that Moscow does not consider itself neutral in the conflict.
“We are not neutral. We are supportive of Iran, of course, and we consider what is happening very negatively,” Kelin said.
He also criticized narratives that portray Iran as responsible for the war: “We don’t understand the logic (…) that Iran is to blame for everything, but nobody is saying that the US and Israel have initiated the attack against Iran and Iran is only responding to this attack.”
“So this is simply unfair,” the ambassador concluded.
The remarks come after Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian asked Russia to support Tehran diplomatically during a phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
According to Iranian state media, Pezeshkian described the US-Israeli attacks on Iran as “aggressive.”
“Targeting American bases in neighboring countries is a purely defensive measure,” Pezeshkian said.
Iran also asked Moscow to support “Iran’s legitimate rights in the face of aggression.”
The Iranian president also condemned Israel’s assassination of Iran’s Supreme Leader, saying it “was a cowardly act and violated all international rules.”
Following the conversation, the Kremlin reiterated Russia’s call for diplomacy. According to the Kremlin statement, Putin expressed support for “an immediate ceasefire in Iran.”
The Kremlin also reaffirmed “its principled position on the need for an immediate cessation of hostilities.”
Putin urged a diplomatic resolution, calling for “a return to the path of political and diplomatic settlement.”
Russia has also warned that the war is already affecting global markets.
“No one has cut supplies, but prices have risen sharply due to the general situation in global markets, including the oil and gas markets,” Putin said, according to Reuters.
Reports of Intelligence Cooperation
The interview also comes amid reports suggesting Russia may already be assisting Iran militarily.
According to The Washington Post, Russia has been providing Iran with intelligence about US military positions in the Middle East.
“Since the war began Saturday, Russia has passed Iran the locations of U.S. military assets, including warships and aircraft,” officials told the newspaper.
One official cited by the report said the effort appeared extensive: “It does seem like it’s a pretty comprehensive effort.”
Analysts say such intelligence could help explain the increasing precision of Iranian attacks on US military infrastructure.
“Iran is making very precise hits on early warning radars or over-the-horizon radars,” said Dara Massicot of the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. “They’re doing this in a very targeted way. They’re going after command and control.”
Experts say the cooperation reflects a deepening strategic partnership between Moscow and Tehran as the war continues to expand across the region.
He also criticized narratives that portray Iran as responsible for the war: “We don’t understand the logic (…) that Iran is to blame for everything, but nobody is saying that the US and Israel have initiated the attack against Iran and Iran is only responding to this attack.”
“So this is simply unfair,” the ambassador concluded.
The remarks come after Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian asked Russia to support Tehran diplomatically during a phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
According to Iranian state media, Pezeshkian described the US-Israeli attacks on Iran as “aggressive.”
“Targeting American bases in neighboring countries is a purely defensive measure,” Pezeshkian said.
Iran also asked Moscow to support “Iran’s legitimate rights in the face of aggression.”
The Iranian president also condemned Israel’s assassination of Iran’s Supreme Leader, saying it “was a cowardly act and violated all international rules.”
Following the conversation, the Kremlin reiterated Russia’s call for diplomacy. According to the Kremlin statement, Putin expressed support for “an immediate ceasefire in Iran.”
The Kremlin also reaffirmed “its principled position on the need for an immediate cessation of hostilities.”
Putin urged a diplomatic resolution, calling for “a return to the path of political and diplomatic settlement.”
Russia has also warned that the war is already affecting global markets.
“No one has cut supplies, but prices have risen sharply due to the general situation in global markets, including the oil and gas markets,” Putin said, according to Reuters.
Reports of Intelligence Cooperation
The interview also comes amid reports suggesting Russia may already be assisting Iran militarily.
According to The Washington Post, Russia has been providing Iran with intelligence about US military positions in the Middle East.
“Since the war began Saturday, Russia has passed Iran the locations of U.S. military assets, including warships and aircraft,” officials told the newspaper.
One official cited by the report said the effort appeared extensive: “It does seem like it’s a pretty comprehensive effort.”
Analysts say such intelligence could help explain the increasing precision of Iranian attacks on US military infrastructure.
“Iran is making very precise hits on early warning radars or over-the-horizon radars,” said Dara Massicot of the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. “They’re doing this in a very targeted way. They’re going after command and control.”
