Regime change in Iran is “unacceptable,” and the assassination of that country’s supreme leader would “open Pandora’s box,” the Kremlin announced.
In a rare interview with a foreign media outlet, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told Sky News that Russia would react “very negatively” if Ayatollah Ali Khamenei were killed.
The comments come after US President Donald Trump stated that within two weeks he would decide whether America would join Israel’s military campaign against Tehran, after earlier speculating on social media about the assassination of the Iranian leader.
“The situation is extremely tense and dangerous not only for the region, but globally,” Peskov said in an interview at Konstantinov Palace in St. Petersburg.
“Expanding the number of participants in the conflict is potentially even more dangerous. This would only lead to a new round of confrontation and escalation of tensions in the region.”
Russia has deepened ties with Iran since the beginning of the invasion of Ukraine, and the two countries signed a strategic partnership in January.
“Regime change in Iran is unimaginable. It should be unacceptable – even talking about it should be unacceptable to everyone,” Peskov said, alluding to Washington.
However, Peskov did not want to specify what exact action Russia would take if Khamenei were killed, but said that it would cause a reaction “from within, in Iran.”
“This would lead to the birth of extremist sentiments within Iran, and those who talk about the assassination of Khamenei should keep that in mind. They would open Pandora’s box.”
Vladimir Putin’s offers to mediate in ending the conflict have so far been rejected by Trump, who on Wednesday said he told the Russian president to “mediate in his own conflict,” alluding to the war in Ukraine.
Peskov dismissed the claim that Trump’s words were offensive and added: “Everyone has different language. President Trump has his own unique way of speaking and unique language. We are quite tolerant and expect everyone to be tolerant of us.”
The Trump administration’s efforts to mediate an end to the war in Ukraine have not yielded significant results, despite two rounds of direct negotiations between Moscow and Kyiv.
Moscow has intensified air attacks on Ukraine in recent weeks and continues to reject Volodymyr Zelensky’s calls for a 30-day ceasefire.
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Source: Kurir; Photo: AP