Russia has issued a concerning warning to the United States following reports that President Donald Trump has ‘approved’ an attack plan on Iran.
With escalating tensions in the Middle East, marked by recent missile exchanges between Iran and Israel, focus has shifted towards President Trump to determine America’s potential involvement.
When questioned about U.S. participation, Trump initially responded, “I may do it, I may not do it,” and allegedly left the G7 summit prematurely to address the issue on Monday, June 16.
The situation intensified on Tuesday, June 17, with the rare sighting of the U.S. Air Force’s massive ‘Doomsday plane,’ a craft designed to manage nuclear crises, raising fears of impending conflict.
According to ABC News, Trump has moved closer to this outcome by allegedly informing his top national security advisers that he approves any attack plans on Iran if presented. However, sources indicated to the Wall Street Journal that Trump supports strikes but prefers to see if Iran will negotiate on its nuclear program first.
In response to the strategy being unveiled, Trump commented, “I like to make the final decision one second before it’s due.”
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt informed reporters, “As President Trump said himself today, all options remain on the table.”
Russia, an ally of Iran, has entered the fray with a strong warning that U.S. action could ‘radically destabilise the entire situation.’
Russian spokesperson Maria Zakharova questioned the global community’s concern over nuclear facilities being attacked, stating to Reuters: “Nuclear facilities are being struck… Where is the [concern from the] entire world community?”
She cautioned of the looming risk of a ‘nuclear catastrophe.’
Russia’s Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov expressed to Interfax that Moscow had advised the U.S. to refrain from involvement, noting the conflict had already resulted in numerous Iranian casualties and injured many Israelis.
Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei warned of the potential costs of U.S. intervention, asserting: “The Iranian nation will not surrender.”
However, Russian President Vladimir Putin has dismissed claims of Russian involvement, stating: “We are not imposing anything on anyone; we are simply talking about how we see a possible way out of the situation.”
“But the decision, of course, is up to the political leadership of all these countries, primarily Iran and Israel,” he added.
Before departing the G7 summit in Canada, Trump advised Tehran’s residents to evacuate and remarked on his Truth Social platform that Iran ‘should have signed the ‘deal’ I told them to sign.’
He further expressed regret over the situation, stating, “What a shame, and waste of human life. Simply stated, IRAN CAN NOT HAVE A NUCLEAR WEAPON. I said it over and over again!”
Clarifying his stance to reporters on Wednesday, June 18, Trump stated his frustration with the ongoing situation, declaring his patience had ‘already run out’ with Iran.
“I give up,” he commented. “No more. Then we go blow up all the, you know, all the nuclear stuff that’s all over the place there.”