Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov has criticized threats by the United States to bomb Iran, according to the Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA), Iran’s official news agency, on Wednesday.
His remarks appear to be part of Iranian messaging to deter any US action. In recent days, Iranian messaging has increased, with threats against US forces in the Gulf and comments that indicate Iran might choose to develop a nuclear weapon if it is attacked.
Iran appears to hope Russia might help prevent US strikes. Russia is in discussions with the US about a possible Ukraine ceasefire. Saudi Arabia has hosted the talks.
US President Donald Trump is expected to fly to Saudi Arabia for his first foreign trip since taking office. Moscow may think that it can link a Ukraine deal to a deal that will also help Iran.
Russia and Iran are increasingly close partners. Russia, Iran, and China also held recent talks in Beijing.
Iran nuclear deal
Russia does not want to see its Iranian ally weakened. This is increasingly important for Moscow after the Assad regime in Syria fell.
Russia needs Iranian partnership on various issues, including naval cooperation. Russia has acquired Iranian drones for use in Ukraine.
Russia and Iran also want to increase trade via the Caucasus and a north-south trade corridor that will go through Azerbaijan and possibly Armenia. The US has been involved in backing Armenia-Azerbaijan talks.
“Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov in an interview with the Russian journal International Affairs, criticized the use of threats and ultimatums following Trump’s warning to bomb Iran unless Tehran agreed to a new deal with Washington,” IRNA reported.
The report showed an image of Russian President Vladimir Putin and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian meeting at the Kremlin in Moscow on January 17.
“Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov slams the use of threats and ultimatums following Trump’s warning to bomb Iran unless Tehran agreed to a new deal with Washington,” IRNA reported.
Moscow has said any US strike could have “catastrophic” consequences for the region. Trump has increased rhetoric after sending a letter to Iran last month. The letter, sent via the UAE, offered a deal.
Iran needs to come to the table within the next month and a half, Trump said. Tehran has rejected direct talks with the US. It has proposed indirect talks, likely in Oman.
Iran’s supreme leader is wary of any talks with the US. He knows that Trump walked away from the previous Iran deal that began in 2015.
“If they don’t make a deal, there will be bombing,” Trump said in an interview with NBC News.
IRNA quoted Ryabkov as saying: “We consider such methods inappropriate; we condemn them and view them as a way for the US to impose its own will on the Iranian side.”
“The Russian diplomat emphasized the urgency of diplomacy, urging all parties to work towards a reasonable agreement to avoid escalation while there is still time,” IRNA reported.
Russia said it could help mediate” between the US and Iran, the report said. This would be interesting, considering the US is also mediating between Russia and Ukraine.
This multipronged mediation could lead to a grand bargain that encapsulates several issues, including Ukraine and Iran’s nuclear program. This would likely be perceived as a win for Russia because it would position Moscow strongly in guaranteeing both the Iranian nuclear issue and the Ukrainian ceasefire.