Lavrov Says US-Israel War on Iran Risks Igniting Nuclear Arms Push

(MENAFN) Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov cautioned Tuesday that the US-Israel military campaign against Iran risks igniting a nuclear weapons push — not only in Tehran but across the broader Arab world — in what he described as a consequence that is the polar opposite of the stated justification for war.

Speaking at a Moscow press conference following talks with Brunei's Second Minister of Foreign Affairs Erywan Yusof, Lavrov delivered a pointed assessment of the regional fallout from Saturday's large-scale US-Israeli strikes, which killed several top Iranian leaders, including Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

"The seemingly paradoxically declared noble goal of starting a war to prevent the proliferation of nuclear weapons could stimulate completely opposite trends," Lavrov said.

"This action, this war that has now been started against Iran, could, firstly, spur a movement in favor of developing nuclear weapons, and not only in Iran," he added, warning that neighboring Arab countries could follow suit.

Lavrov pointed to assessments from both the International Atomic Energy Agency and US intelligence as confirmation that Iran had not been pursuing nuclear weapons — undercutting, in his view, the rationale behind the offensive. He also stressed that Iran, as a signatory to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT), holds "an inalienable right to enrich uranium."

On the question of international accountability, Lavrov was blunt. When asked about the prospect of sanctions against Washington and Tel Aviv, he said: "It is obvious that no one would dare to resort to such steps."

Regarding the limits of the UN Security Council, Lavrov noted that Russia and China had jointly convened an emergency session following the start of the offensive, where "principled assessments were voiced" — but acknowledged the body's structural constraints. "The US, as a permanent member of the Security Council, of course, will not allow the adoption of any decisions that would contradict its interests," he said.

The Russian foreign minister framed the broader crisis as symptomatic of a collapsing global order. "A reflection of the deepest problems that have now come to the surface, which consist, first and foremost, in the clash between international law and the absence of international law," he said.

Lavrov reaffirmed Moscow's readiness to serve as a mediator, though he tempered that offer with skepticism over Washington's intentions. "So far, we do not see such clarity regarding the goals of our American colleagues. But under all circumstances, we have never interrupted open dialogue with them or with Israel," he said.

Brunei's foreign minister, for his part, offered an unambiguous condemnation of the US-Israeli attack — noting its occurrence during the holy month of Ramadan. "Brunei can only state that we strongly urge and encourage the upholding of international law, particularly the principles of the UN Charter in terms of respect for territorial integrity and sovereignty, and to use dialogue and diplomacy for regional peace and stability," he said.

In a separate development, the Russian Foreign Ministry confirmed that Lavrov held talks with his Omani counterpart, Badr bin Hamad Al Busaidi, with both ministers backing a diplomatic path forward — even as the conflict continues to escalate on the ground.

Tehran has responded to the weekend strikes with drone and missile attacks targeting Israel and US-linked sites across Gulf nations. US President Donald Trump, meanwhile, has vowed to destroy Iran's missile capabilities, dismantle its missile industry, and obliterate its navy, reiterating that Tehran will not be permitted to acquire a nuclear weapon. The strikes occurred while US-Iranian nuclear negotiations — brokered by Oman — were still actively underway.

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