Lavrov Warns US-Israel Strikes May Encourage Nuclear Programs in Iran

(MENAFN) Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov warned Tuesday that the ongoing US-Israel military operation against Iran could encourage both Iran and nearby countries to pursue nuclear weapons.

Speaking at a press conference in Moscow after discussions with Brunei's Second Minister of Foreign Affairs Erywan Yusof, Lavrov said, "the seemingly paradoxically declared noble goal of starting a war to prevent the proliferation of nuclear weapons could stimulate completely opposite trends."

"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, noting that neighboring Arab nations might also be influenced.

Lavrov emphasized that the Middle East conflict is intensifying the global nuclear security threat. He also cited confirmations from the International Atomic Energy Agency and US intelligence that Iran was not pursuing nuclear weapons prior to the escalation.

When asked about possible sanctions against the US and Israel, Lavrov remarked, "It is obvious that no one would dare to resort to such steps."

Regarding the United Nations, he said that Russia and China called a Security Council meeting after the strikes, where "principled assessments were voiced," adding, "I believe this was the maximum possible under those conditions."

He noted the limitations imposed by the US as a permanent Security Council member, saying, "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."

Lavrov concluded by framing the crisis as "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."

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