Peskov: US Iran Strikes Not Linked to Our Relations

The US’s Sunday strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities are independent from US-Russia relations, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said on Monday.

The US bombed three nuclear sites in Moscow-ally Iran in the early hours of Sunday, June 22, after weeks of tit-for-tat strikes between Iran and US ally Israel, which Israel said was prompted by Iran’s advancing nuclear program.

Peskov, when commenting on whether the US’s military intervention would affect the rapprochement between Washington and Moscow, said they are “independent processes,” according to Russian state media RIA Novosti.

The US has positioned itself as a mediator to the Russian invasion of Ukraine but has thus far refused to pressure Russia, instead aiming for rapprochement in a bid to entice Russia to negotiate.

Peskov also said US President Donald Trump did not provide detailed information on the strike before it happened to Russian leader Vladimir Putin, but nonetheless added that the two have closed communication channels that allow them to maintain communication at all times.

Peskov also disputed the US’s remarks on a potential regime change in Iran by saying it should be determined by the Iranian people, not third parties, but stopped short of criticizing the attack.

The statement conflicts with Russia’s foreign ministry on Sunday, which condemned the strike by calling it “irresponsible” and said it “grossly violates international law.”

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Russia, a key ally of Iran that signed a partnership treaty with Tehran earlier this year, previously warned Washington against military intervention in Iran but stopped short of vowing direct support for Iran should it come under attack.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi is set to hold talks with Putin on Monday for “consultations.”

Putin initially offered to mediate between Iran and Israel but later downplayed it as merely “suggesting ideas” after pushback from Trump.