Russia Warns US-Israel War on Iran May Fuel Nuclear Race

Russia warned Tuesday that the war launched by the United States and Israel against Iran could produce the opposite of its stated objective, by accelerating nuclear proliferation across the Middle East.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said the conflict risks pushing Iran and its Arab neighbors toward nuclear weapons programs, arguing that the war could strengthen domestic calls for nuclear deterrence rather than eliminate them.

Speaking at a press conference on March 3, Lavrov argued the logic behind the war could produce the opposite outcome of its stated goal. “This war that they have now unleashed against Iran… can stimulate movement in favor of creating nuclear weapons, and not only in Iran,” he said.

According to Lavrov, similar pressures could emerge in countries neighboring Iran. “Such a movement will immediately appear in the countries - Arab countries that neighbor the Islamic Republic of Iran,” he added.

The United States and Israel launched their strikes on Saturday citing Iran’s alleged pursuit of nuclear weapons. Tehran denies it is seeking a nuclear bomb and says its nuclear program is intended for civilian energy production.

The strikes, which killed Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, triggered a broader regional confrontation and intensified debate over nuclear deterrence in the Middle East.

Lavrov warned the conflict could destabilize the global nuclear non-proliferation system. “The risk is now growing that the problem of nuclear non-proliferation will begin to get out of control,” he said.

He also pointed to broader global trends, arguing that the issue is increasingly discussed in other regions as well. “In Europe, they talk about it openly and loudly,” Lavrov said, adding that “there are alarming trends also in Northeast Asia.”

According to the Russian minister, the introduction of nuclear components into joint military programs by the United States and South Korea has intensified concerns about global nuclear proliferation dynamics.

Lavrov suggested the Middle East war could reinforce arguments in favor of nuclear deterrence among countries that view nuclear weapons as protection against military intervention.

Lavrov said some factions inside Iran could interpret the war as evidence that nuclear weapons provide security guarantees. “If this logic is now promoted, then I guarantee you that forces will emerge in Iran… to do exactly what the United States wants to avoid,” he said.

“To acquire a nuclear bomb, because the US does not attack those who have nuclear bombs,” Lavrov added.

He also cited historical precedents referenced by officials in the Global South. According to Lavrov, some interlocutors point to Libya’s former leader Muammar Gaddafi as an example. “He voluntarily abandoned the development program… and some of our interlocutors… remind us of this,” Lavrov said.

“They say: you see, Gaddafi refused and what did they do to him?” he added.

Russia has urged an immediate cessation of hostilities and a return to diplomatic negotiations. President Vladimir Putin described the killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader as a “cynical murder,” while Moscow warned that the conflict could spiral into a broader regional crisis.

The Kremlin said that Putin had spoken with Gulf Arab leaders on Monday and would convey their concerns to Iran regarding retaliatory strikes targeting regional states since the war began.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters that Russia intends to seek a reduction in tensions. “Putin will certainly make every effort to contribute to at least a slight easing of tensions,” he said.

Russia has maintained close ties with Iran in recent years and views Tehran as an important partner for maintaining its influence in the Middle East. That relationship has grown in importance following the collapse of the Syrian government led by Bashar al-Assad in December 2024.

The war that began on Saturday has already widened beyond Iran’s borders, raising concerns among global powers that the conflict could destabilize the broader region and reshape nuclear deterrence dynamics.