In a recent statement, Dmitry Peskov, the spokesperson for Russian President Vladimir Putin, described any potential regime change in Iran as “unacceptable” in light of the ongoing conflict involving Israel and Tehran. Peskov emphasized that discussions surrounding the assassination of Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, could incite extremism within the nation.
“[Regime change in Iran] is unimaginable. It should be unacceptable, even talking about that should be unacceptable for everyone,” Peskov remarked in an interview with Sky News.
He cautioned that such actions would unleash a “Pandora’s box” of instability, urging those advocating for violence against Khamenei to consider the broader implications. Furthermore, he raised concerns about the involvement of other nations in the conflict, particularly as the United States contemplates military support for Israel.
Escalating tensions in the region
Peskov warned that increased foreign participation would likely lead to further confrontations and heightened tensions across the region. His remarks come amidst a backdrop of ongoing military actions, as Russia has been engaged in a full-scale invasion of Ukraine for over three years, significantly affecting Europe’s security landscape.
The Kremlin’s comments follow reports that U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration is expected to decide within the next two weeks whether to support Israel’s military initiatives against Iran. Earlier, Israeli President Isaac Herzog clarified that while targeting Khamenei is not Israel’s primary objective, his removal could ultimately be advantageous for the Iranian populace.
Recent military developments
The situation escalated further on Friday when an Iranian missile struck Be’er-Sheva, a city in southern Israel, causing property damage and injuring seven individuals in what local officials described as a “direct hit.” In retaliation, the Israeli military conducted airstrikes on three Iranian missile launch sites, claiming to have eliminated an Iranian commander linked to the missile assault.
According to the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), over 60 fighter jets were deployed to target multiple military sites within Iran overnight, including facilities associated with missile production in the Tehran region. As tensions continue to rise, the international community watches closely, concerned about the potential for a broader conflict.