- US–Iran War tensions deepen as Russia urges the United States and Israel to halt strikes and return to diplomacy.
- Moscow warns continued attacks on Iran risk triggering a broader regional conflict across the Middle East.
- Russia says civilian casualties in Iran are rising sharply amid ongoing military operations.
- Analysts warn disruptions near the Strait of Hormuz could send global oil prices soaring.
Russia on Thursday urged the United States and Israel to immediately halt their military strikes against Iran and return to diplomatic negotiations, warning that the conflict risks spiraling into a broader regional war with severe global consequences.
Speaking in Moscow, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said Russia was working to de-escalate tensions and push for a diplomatic resolution to the rapidly intensifying confrontation.
“Russia will continue to take steps to end the escalation in the Middle East as soon as possible and resolve any contradictions by peaceful means,” Zakharova told reporters.
U.S.–Iran War Escalation Triggers Gulf Evacuations and Strategic Bomber Deployments in Europe
She also sharply criticized the ongoing military campaign by United States and Israel, describing it as an “illegal military action” that has already inflicted heavy civilian casualties in Iran.
“The number of victims among the civilian population of Iran, according to Iranian authorities, is in the thousands,” Zakharova said, signaling Moscow’s growing concern over the humanitarian consequences of the war.
Russia calls on Israel and US to end the Iran war
The remarks reflect Russia’s increasingly vocal opposition to the Western-backed military pressure campaign against Tehran. Moscow has positioned itself as a diplomatic counterweight in the crisis, calling repeatedly for immediate negotiations while warning that continued strikes could destabilize the entire Middle East.
The conflict, which initially centered on strikes targeting Iran’s nuclear and military infrastructure, has expanded rapidly in recent weeks. Attacks on energy facilities, military bases, and shipping routes have raised alarm among global markets and governments alike.
Analysts say Russia’s intervention in the diplomatic debate serves several strategic purposes. First, Moscow is seeking to prevent the collapse of regional stability in an area where it maintains deep military and economic interests. Second, it allows the Kremlin to frame itself as a defender of international law in contrast to Washington’s military approach.
Russia also fears that a prolonged war could trigger massive disruptions in global energy flows—particularly through the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz, a narrow maritime corridor that carries roughly one-fifth of the world’s oil supply.
Any closure or sustained disruption there would likely send global oil prices soaring and deepen economic volatility worldwide.
Forecast: Where the U.S.–Iran War Could Go Next
Despite Russia’s calls for diplomacy, the trajectory of the war remains uncertain. Military analysts increasingly warn that the conflict is approaching a dangerous inflection point.
Three scenarios now dominate strategic forecasts.
Limited but prolonged conflict.
In the most likely scenario, the United States and Israel continue targeted strikes against Iranian military and nuclear assets while Iran retaliates through missile attacks and proxy forces across the region. This would resemble a grinding regional conflict involving multiple fronts—from the Persian Gulf to Lebanon and Iraq—without escalating into a full-scale invasion.
Regional escalation.
A second possibility involves Iran expanding retaliation through allied groups and missile strikes on U.S. bases or shipping lanes. Such a move could pull additional regional actors into the conflict and trigger sustained attacks on global energy infrastructure.
Negotiated pause.
The third scenario—favored by Russia and several European governments—would involve a ceasefire or temporary pause followed by negotiations over Iran’s nuclear program and regional security arrangements. However, diplomatic channels remain limited amid deep mistrust between Washington and Tehran.
The greatest immediate risk remains miscalculation. With multiple militaries operating across the region and tensions running high, a single large-scale attack or major civilian casualty incident could dramatically widen the war.
For now, Russia’s message is clear: without urgent diplomacy, the conflict risks transforming from a regional confrontation into a global crisis.