Russia warned Israel against its strikes on Iranian nuclear sites, saying it puts the world on the “brink of a catastrophe”.
Israel has struck nuclear facilities across Iran, including at Bushehr, Natanz, Isfahan, and Arak. It accuses Iran of seeking to build a nuclear bomb. Tehran says its nuclear program is for civilian energy purposes.
Maria Zakharova, spokeswoman of the Russian foreign ministry, said Moscow “calls on the Israeli leadership to come to its senses and immediately stop attacks on nuclear installations”.
“We are particularly concerned about the safety of the Bushehr nuclear power plant, which employs Russian specialists,” Zakharova said.
Iran is an ally of Russia, though Israel also has friendly relations with Moscow.
Russia has been raising concerns about the potential for a strike on Bushehr.
Alexei Likhachev, CEO of the Russian state atomic energy company Rosatom, said striking Bushehr could lead to a Chernobyl-like catastrophe, state media reported.
Likhachev said some of the Russian nuclear specialists working at Bushehr have already been removed, though others remain there.
Dmitry Peskov, spokesman for Russian President Vladimir Putin, said Israel has promised Russia that it would ensure the safety of its specialists working at Bushehr.
“We maintain very smooth, trusting relations with Israel,” Peskov said in an interview with RBC-TV.
“Only yesterday, Putin mentioned that there is an understanding with Israel that our specialists who work in Bushehr will not be in danger and under the threat of a strike.”
Peskov said the safety of the Russian specialists comes from the relationship of trust with Israel.
“Our dialogue with Israel and the trusting nature of this dialogue allow us to reach such understandings. This is very important,” Peskov said.
This is a breaking news story. Updates to follow.
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