---
title: "Russia warns US not to help Israel militarily against Iran"
description: "MOSCOW, June 18 (Reuters) - Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov warned on Wednesday that direct U.S. military assistance to Israel could radically destabilise the situation in the Middle East, where an air war between Iran and Israel has raged for six days."
type: "NewsArticle"
publisher: "Daily Maverick"
site: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za"
section: "Newsdeck"
author: "Reuters"
author_url: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/author/reuters/"
canonical_url: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2025-06-18-russia-warns-us-not-to-help-israel-militarily-against-iran/"
published: "2025-06-18T13:02:01"
updated: "2025-06-18T13:02:03"
lang: "en-ZA"
word_count: 203
---

# Russia warns US not to help Israel militarily against Iran

> MOSCOW, June 18 (Reuters) - Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov warned on Wednesday that direct U.S. military assistance to Israel could radically destabilise the situation in the Middle East, where an air war between Iran and Israel has raged for six days.

By Reuters · Published 18 June 2025, 15:02 SAST · Updated 18 June 2025, 15:02 SAST

## Key points
- As tensions reach a boiling point, Russia warns the U.S. against throwing fuel on the fire of the Iran-Israel conflict, while Trump flirts with the idea of military strikes and a Twitter hit list, proving that diplomacy is so last season.
- Russia's SVR chief warns of a critical situation between Iran and Israel, highlighting escalating tensions.
- Deputy Foreign Minister Ryabkov cautions the U.S. against military support for Israel, calling it a destabilizing move.
- Trump reportedly considers military options against Iran, including potential strikes on nuclear sites, while publicly contemplating actions against Khamenei.
- Israel's recent air strikes on Iranian targets have provoked retaliatory missile attacks, prompting Putin to urge a halt to hostilities.

## Content

In separate comments, the head of Russia's SVR foreign intelligence service, Sergei Naryshkin, was quoted as saying that the situation between Iran and Israel was now critical.

Ryabkov warned the U.S. against direct military assistance to Israel or even considering such "speculative options," according to Russia's Interfax news agency.

"This would be a step that would radically destabilise the entire situation," it cited him as saying.

Earlier, a source familiar with U.S. internal discussions said President Donald Trump and his team were considering a number of options, including joining Israel in strikes against Iranian nuclear sites.

On Tuesday, Trump openly mused on social media about killing Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, but said "We are not going to take him out (kill!), at least not for now."

Israel launched air strikes last Friday against Iran's nuclear sites, scientists and top military leaders in a surprise attack that Russia condemned as unprovoked and illegal. Iran has responded with missile and drone attacks on Israeli cities.

Russian President Vladimir Putin, who in January signed a strategic partnership treaty with Iran, has called for a cessation of hostilities between the two sides.

(Reporting by Reuters; Writing by Lucy Papachristou and Mark TrevelyanEditing by Andrew Osborn)