Kremlin warns strikes near Iran's Bushehr nuclear plant are dangerous

MOSCOW: US-Israeli strikes near the Bushehr nuclear power plant in Iran are extremely dangerous, and Russia has shared its concerns with the United States, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Monday.

Such strikes could have irreparable consequences, Peskov said.

"We believe that strikes on nuclear facilities are potentially extremely dangerous. (...) Therefore, the Russian side, taking an extremely responsible stance on this issue, has repeatedly voiced its concerns," Peskov said.

The Kremlin spokesman said that the conflict in Iran "as recently as yesterday" should have been channelled towards a political and diplomatic settlement.

"This is the only thing that can effectively help defuse the catastrophically tense situation that has now developed in the region."

On 17 March, the Russian state nuclear corporation Rosatom said that a strike carried out "on the territory adjacent to the building of the metrological service, located on the site of the Bushehr nuclear power plant, in close proximity to the operating power unit."

Russia condemned a strike on the territory of the plant and called for de-escalation around the facility.

Bushehr nuclear power plant

The Bushehr nuclear power plant is Iran's first and only operational nuclear power station. The facility has long been a focal point of international attention given the broader concerns surrounding Iran's nuclear programme.

Russia's warning comes amid heightened tensions in the region, with Moscow signalling that any military activity near nuclear infrastructure demands extreme caution from all parties involved.

The Kremlin's statement reflects the broader international concern that conflicts in proximity to nuclear sites carry risks that extend far beyond conventional military engagements, with the potential for environmental and humanitarian consequences on a massive scale.

Peskov's comments represent a clear signal from Moscow that it views the reported strikes near the Bushehr facility with serious concern and considers any escalation near nuclear infrastructure to be unacceptable due to the potentially irreparable consequences such actions could trigger.