Photo credit: Newsweek
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on March 16 that the United States and Israel had misjudged the prospects of a swift military operation in Iran. He argued that Washington and Jerusalem now understand they were “mistaken.”
Kyiv Independent reports that Lavrov’s remarks come as Russia continues to defend Tehran – one of its closest partners since the start of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine – while criticizing Western military actions.
Russia has portrayed the US and Israeli strikes in Iran as an unprovoked act of aggression. Its Foreign Ministry condemned the operation even as Russia continues its own war against Ukraine.
Lavrov also claimed that military actions against Iran could not go unanswered.
The Iranian government has long been described by Washington’s officials as a leading state sponsor of terrorism, accused of funding and arming militant groups across the Middle East.
Iran has also been one of Russia’s closest partners since the start of the full-scale war. Tehran supplied Moscow with Shahed-type attack drones, which Russia later adapted into its own Geran-series drones for repeated strikes on Ukrainian cities and critical infrastructure.
During the Iran conflict, US officials have alleged that Russia provides Tehran with intelligence on American military positions in the region, including ships and aircraft.
