Russia ready to help ease Israel-Iran crisis, offers uranium deal again

Russia has reiterated its readiness to mediate between Israel and Iran and said its proposal to store Iranian uranium on Russian soil remains valid despite the worsening conflict.

The Kremlin on Monday reaffirmed its willingness to serve as a mediator in the escalating confrontation between Israel and Iran, and said a previous Russian offer to take custody of Iran’s highly enriched uranium remains on the table.

“This proposal remains on the table, it remains relevant,” Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said. “But, of course, with the outbreak of hostilities, the situation has become seriously complicated.”

Tehran insists its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes. However, Iran’s rapidly advancing uranium enrichment has raised alarm across the West and the Gulf, with fears that it may be inching closer to acquiring nuclear weapons capability.

Before Israel launched airstrikes on Iranian territory, Russia had offered to remove Iran’s enriched uranium and convert it into civilian reactor fuel as a possible way to de-escalate tensions. That offer has now gained renewed attention amid the spiraling crisis.

U.S. President Donald Trump on Sunday expressed optimism that peace might still be possible and suggested Russian President Vladimir Putin could play a role in brokering a resolution.

Peskov confirmed that Russia remains ready to do "everything necessary to eliminate the root causes of this crisis," while also warning that continued military actions were worsening the situation. “The situation is escalating more than seriously, and, of course, this is not affecting the situation for the better,” he said.

Responding to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s comments suggesting regime change in Iran could be a consequence of ongoing military actions, the Kremlin said it had taken note of the remarks.

“We condemn those actions that have led to such a dangerous escalation,” Peskov stated. “And we note a significant consolidation of society in Iran against the background of the bombing that is currently being carried out by the Israeli side.”

Copied