Istanbul, Turkey / Moscow, Russia – February 28, 2026 – Dmitry Medvedev, Deputy Chairman of Russia’s Security Council and a close ally of President Vladimir Putin, sharply criticized the United States on Saturday, accusing Washington of using ongoing nuclear negotiations with Iran as a mere “cover” for the joint US-Israeli military strikes launched earlier in the day.
In a series of posts on his official Telegram channel and other social media platforms, Medvedev described the diplomatic process—mediated by Oman and involving indirect talks that concluded their latest round in Geneva on Thursday—as insincere from the outset. “The peacekeeper is at it again. The talks with Iran were just a cover. Everyone knew that,” he wrote. “So who has more patience to wait for the enemy’s sorry end now? The US is just 249 years old. The Persian Empire was founded over 2500 years ago.”
Medvedev continued in a taunting tone: “Let’s see what happens in 100 years or so…” His remarks reflect Russia’s longstanding support for Iran and its skepticism toward US-led diplomatic initiatives, framing the military action as proof that negotiations were never intended to succeed.
The comments come as the US and Israel conducted coordinated strikes on Iranian targets early Saturday. Israel described the operation—codenamed “Lion’s Roar” (also referred to as “Roaring Lion”)—as pre-emptive to remove an “existential threat” posed by the Iranian regime. US President Donald Trump later confirmed American participation in “major combat operations” under “Operation Epic Fury,” stating the campaign aimed to protect the American people by eliminating imminent threats from Iran’s missile capabilities, nuclear program, and regional proxy networks.
Trump urged Iranian forces to surrender and called on the population to overthrow the regime, while acknowledging the possibility of US casualties. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu praised the collaboration as historic and necessary for Israel’s security. Reports indicate the strikes targeted military infrastructure, missile production sites, and reportedly senior leadership figures, including Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, President Masoud Pezeshkian, and others. Israeli assessments suggested a strong likelihood that Ali Shamkhani—Khamenei’s nuclear advisor—may have been eliminated, though Iranian authorities denied harm to key figures and stated several officials were safe.
Iran condemned the attacks as military aggression and a violation of Article 2(4) of the UN Charter, asserting its right to self-defense under Article 51. Tehran’s Foreign Ministry stated that while diplomacy had been prioritized, the time had come to defend the homeland, promising a “decisive and powerful” response. Iran launched retaliatory missile and drone barrages targeting Israeli territory and US military bases across the Gulf, including facilities in Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait, the UAE, and Saudi Arabia. In Bahrain, a missile struck a service center linked to the US Fifth Fleet in Juffair, with smoke observed in the area. Qatar reported intercepting an Iranian missile using the Patriot system, while several Gulf states temporarily closed or restricted airspace as a precaution.
Civilian casualties have been reported on the Iranian side, including five students killed when a girls’ primary school in Minab, Hormozgan province, was reportedly struck. Iranian media also documented damage in multiple provinces, with air defenses engaging incoming projectiles.
This escalation follows the June 2025 12-day Israel-Iran war, during which Israel initiated strikes and the United States later joined, bombing three Iranian nuclear facilities (Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan). Those actions were reported to have set back—but not eliminated—Iran’s nuclear capabilities, according to International Atomic Energy Agency assessments.
The latest strikes occurred despite ongoing indirect nuclear negotiations mediated by Oman. The most recent round ended in Geneva on Thursday, with Omani Foreign Minister Badr Albusaidi describing progress as “within our reach” after meeting US Vice President JD Vance on Friday. Medvedev’s remarks align with Moscow’s narrative that Western diplomacy is often insincere and serves as a prelude to military action.
Russia has consistently supported Iran diplomatically and economically, including through military-technical cooperation, and has condemned previous Western strikes on Tehran. Medvedev’s post—combining sarcasm with historical references to Persian resilience—underscores Russia’s framing of the conflict as part of a long-term civilizational struggle rather than a short-term security issue.
International reactions remain polarized. The European Union, Switzerland, and other nations have called for maximum restraint, civilian protection, and respect for international law. The UN Security Council held an emergency session, with Russia and China condemning the strikes as sovereignty violations. Gulf states placed forces on high alert, closed airspace in several areas, and expressed concern over energy market disruptions. Oil prices surged sharply amid fears regarding the Strait of Hormuz.
The Russian Embassy in Tehran urged its citizens to leave Iran if possible, reflecting acute concern for the safety of Russian nationals. As missile exchanges continue, airspace restrictions persist, and regional forces remain on high alert, Medvedev’s comments highlight the deepening geopolitical divide and Russia’s role in amplifying anti-Western narratives amid the unfolding crisis.
