Kremlin Stands by Tehran, Calls New U.S. Sanctions “Reckless”

Washington is being “reckless” with new sanctions on Iran, official Moscow accused on Tuesday, adding that Russia stood in solidarity with Tehran, RBC reports.

“U.S. authorities should think hard about where this reckless course of action can lead,” the foreign ministry said in a statement.

“It is capable of not only destabilizing the Middle East but undermining the entire system of international security,” the ministry added. “There is an impression that Washington is ‘burning bridges’.”

By introducing sanctions against Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and top military chiefs, Washington is seeking to “punish those who are not going to submit to American diktat,” Moscow said.

“Russia stands in complete solidarity with the friendly people of Iran and its government,” the Russian foreign ministry added.

Tensions between the United States and Iran have been escalating since U.S. President Donald Trump unilaterally withdrew last year from a landmark 2015 nuclear deal and reimposed sanctions on the Islamic republic.

Tehran last week shot down a U.S. spy aircraft which it says entered Iranian territory, a claim denied by Washington. Iran also refutes separate U.S. accusations of involvement in a series of attacks on Gulf shipping.

On Monday, Washington blacklisted Iran’s supreme leader, saying it would also sanction Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif later in the week.