Russia, Pakistan hint at possible nuclear support for Iran after U.S. airstrikes
TOI World Desk | TIMESOFINDIA.COM | Jun 23, 2025, 22:29 IST
( Image credit : IANS, TOIGLOBAL )
U.S. airstrikes targeting Iranian nuclear facilities have sharply escalated Middle East tensions, prompting Russia's Dmitry Medvedev to suggest potential nuclear weapon supplies to Iran from Russia and Pakistan. Despite U.S. claims of success, Iran asserts minimal disruption, while Russia and Pakistan condemn the strikes as illegal acts, raising concerns about regional instability and new nuclear alignments.
Tensions in the Middle East have escalated sharply following a wave of U.S. airstrikes targeting Iran’s nuclear facilities, with former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev suggesting that Russia and Pakistan could openly supply nuclear weapons to Iran in response to the attacks.
Medvedev, speaking on Sunday, warned that “several nations” may be prepared to directly provide Iran with nuclear warheads. His comments follow the extensive U.S. military operation, reportedly ordered by President Donald Trump, which struck key Iranian nuclear sites including Fordow, Natanz, and Esfahan.
General Dan Caine of the Pentagon confirmed that the strikes involved 75 precision-guided munitions, including 14 GBU-57 bunker-busting bombs, which targeted fortified underground facilities. Initial assessments, according to Caine, indicate “severe damage and destruction” at all three sites. However, Iranian and Russian sources have downplayed the extent of the impact, claiming minimal disruption to Iran’s enrichment capabilities.
Iran maintains that it had evacuated critical nuclear materials in anticipation of the strike. A Telegram channel linked to Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps posted satellite images purportedly showing the removal of assets from Fordow 48 hours before the attacks. Tehran insists the move prevented significant loss of nuclear infrastructure.
Despite the U.S. and Israeli claims of mission success, Medvedev questioned the effectiveness of the operation, asserting that Iran’s enrichment activities and potential nuclear weapons development would persist. He added that Iran’s leadership had emerged from the attacks not weakened but “even stronger.”
Pakistan, a longtime ally of Iran, also condemned the U.S. airstrikes. Islamabad accused Washington of provoking unprecedented regional instability and directly contributing to the escalation of violence. Russia’s Foreign Ministry denounced the strike as a violation of both international law and the United Nations Charter, echoing similar criticism from China.
Iran’s ambassador to the United Nations, Sa’eed Iravani, has called for an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council to address what Tehran describes as an illegal and unilateral act of aggression.
The international community remains deeply divided over the legality and consequences of the U.S. military action. While Washington argues the strikes were a necessary response to Iran’s accelerating nuclear ambitions, opponents warn that the move could fuel a broader regional conflict, especially if nuclear weapons become part of the equation.
As the situation develops, global powers continue to monitor Iran’s next move, while concerns grow over the prospect of new nuclear alignments involving Russia, Pakistan, and Iran.
Medvedev, speaking on Sunday, warned that “several nations” may be prepared to directly provide Iran with nuclear warheads. His comments follow the extensive U.S. military operation, reportedly ordered by President Donald Trump, which struck key Iranian nuclear sites including Fordow, Natanz, and Esfahan.
General Dan Caine of the Pentagon confirmed that the strikes involved 75 precision-guided munitions, including 14 GBU-57 bunker-busting bombs, which targeted fortified underground facilities. Initial assessments, according to Caine, indicate “severe damage and destruction” at all three sites. However, Iranian and Russian sources have downplayed the extent of the impact, claiming minimal disruption to Iran’s enrichment capabilities.
Iran maintains that it had evacuated critical nuclear materials in anticipation of the strike. A Telegram channel linked to Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps posted satellite images purportedly showing the removal of assets from Fordow 48 hours before the attacks. Tehran insists the move prevented significant loss of nuclear infrastructure.
Despite the U.S. and Israeli claims of mission success, Medvedev questioned the effectiveness of the operation, asserting that Iran’s enrichment activities and potential nuclear weapons development would persist. He added that Iran’s leadership had emerged from the attacks not weakened but “even stronger.”
Pakistan, a longtime ally of Iran, also condemned the U.S. airstrikes. Islamabad accused Washington of provoking unprecedented regional instability and directly contributing to the escalation of violence. Russia’s Foreign Ministry denounced the strike as a violation of both international law and the United Nations Charter, echoing similar criticism from China.
Iran’s ambassador to the United Nations, Sa’eed Iravani, has called for an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council to address what Tehran describes as an illegal and unilateral act of aggression.
The international community remains deeply divided over the legality and consequences of the U.S. military action. While Washington argues the strikes were a necessary response to Iran’s accelerating nuclear ambitions, opponents warn that the move could fuel a broader regional conflict, especially if nuclear weapons become part of the equation.
As the situation develops, global powers continue to monitor Iran’s next move, while concerns grow over the prospect of new nuclear alignments involving Russia, Pakistan, and Iran.