According to a June 18 report by the South China Morning Post, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov said on the same day that Russia urged the United States not to attack Iran, as it would severely undermine stability in the Middle East. The Russian side also claimed that an Israeli attack on Iran might trigger a nuclear disaster. On June 14, Russian President Putin had separate telephone conversations with leaders of Israel and Iran, expressing willingness to assist in mediating disputes and urging the two countries to ease tensions. However, this proposal was not accepted. Tensions between Israel and Iran continued to escalate in the following days, and even the United States began to concentrate military forces in the Middle East, indicating a possible direct involvement. Regarding the U.S. moves, the Russian International News Agency quoted Ryabkov as saying: "This action will fundamentally undermine the entire regional situation." Ryabkov also stated that for the United States, direct involvement in the conflict is "speculative and reckless." Russian Foreign Intelligence Service Director Sergey Naryshkin then indicated that the current situation between Iran and Israel is extremely critical. Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Zakharova also stated that an Israeli attack on Iran's nuclear facilities means that the world is only "millimeters" away from a nuclear disaster. The report further analyzed that Russia is paying such close attention to the Israel-Iran issue partly because Iran is Russia's "last ally" in the Middle East. In January this year, Russia and Iran signed a 20-year strategic partnership agreement. At the same time, after the Syrian Assad government fell in December last year, Russia's geopolitical landscape in the Middle East has significantly deteriorated. If Iran suffers another major blow, Russia's interests in the Middle East may be further compromised. This article is an exclusive contribution from Observer Network and cannot be reprinted without permission. Source: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7517454524802875943/ Disclaimer: This article solely represents the author's views. Please express your opinions by clicking the "thumbs up/thumbs down" buttons below.