Attacks on Iran dangerous, could spark catastrophe, says Moscow

MOSCOW, Feb 28 (AFP/Reuters): Russia on Saturday condemned US and Israeli strikes on Iran as a "dangerous adventure" that could spark "catastrophe" in the region and urged its citizens to leave Iran and Israel.
Tehran emerged as one of Russia's closest allies during Moscow's Ukraine offensive and the Kremlin has been calling for restraint amid growing tensions and reports of a possible US intervention in Iran.
"Washington and Tel-Aviv have once again embarked on a dangerous adventure that is rapidly bringing the region to the brink of a humanitarian, economic, and-this cannot be ruled out-radiological catastrophe," Russia's foreign ministry said on Saturday.
"The aggressors' intentions are clear and openly declared: to destroy the constitutional order and overthrow the government of a state they find undesirable, which has refused to submit to the diktat of force and hegemonism," it added.
"The responsibility for the negative consequences of this man-made crisis, including an unpredictable chain reaction and an escalating spiral of violence, lies entirely with them," the ministry said.
Russia said it was "ready to contribute to the search for peaceful solutions" that are "based on international law, mutual respect and balance of interests."
Moscow has urged Russians to leave Iran and issued a similar warning for its citizens in Israel.
In 2025, Russia and Iran signed a strategic partnership treaty aimed at strengthening ties-including in the military sphere.
Kyiv and its Western allies have accused the Islamic republic of supplying Shahed drones and short-range missiles to Russia for its offensive in Ukraine.
Iran's President
'safe and sound'
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian is "safe and sound", state media reported on Saturday, following US and Israeli strikes on the Islamic republic.
"President Masoud Pezeshkian is safe and sound and has no problems," the IRNA news agency reported, alongside the Mehr and ISNA agencies.
Satellite images showed a rise in the number of military support aircraft including refuelling tankers at a Saudi airbase used by the U.S. military during a four-day period in February, as Washington built forces in the region amid tensions with Iran.
Saudi Arabia, a longstanding U.S. ally, told Iran last month it would not allow its airspace or territory to be used for military actions against Tehran, which held indirect negotiations with Washington on Thursday over its nuclear programme.
In a high-resolution satellite image taken on February 21, at least 43 aircraft were visible at Saudi Arabia's Prince Sultan Airbase - which has hosted U.S. forces for decades - compared with 27 aircraft visible in a February 17 image.