Russian warns west over belligerency towards Iran

Russia warned that any military strike against Iran would be a grave mistake with unpredictable repercussions.Russia, a veto-wielding power of the UN Security Council, is opposed to any military action against the Islamic Republic, and said it would stand up against any new sanctions against Iran as well. Russian President Dmitry Medvedev called on the western powers to watch their words and avoid intensifying their hostile stances against Iran, warning that increasing anti-Iranian rhetoric could lead to a catastrophe in the Middle East. The Israeli media have recently intensified war rhetoric against Iran, and senior members of the Israeli government have reportedly backed the possibility of striking Iran's nuclear facilities. Israeli President Shimon Peres reiterated Sunday that an attack on Iran is becoming increasingly likely. The possibility of a military attack against Iran is now closer to being applied than the application of a diplomatic option," Peres told the Israel Hayom daily. "As for the belligerent statements that Israel or anyone else is ready to apply force against Iran...that's pretty dangerous rhetoric," Medvedev said at a joint press conference with his German counterpart Christian Wulff. "We realize that emotions in he Middle East are running high… the peace process has reached a dead end, there is no development. But military rhetoric could have grave consequences, all the way to conflict," Medvedev went on. He called on the Middle East to "breathe out, calm down and continue constructive discussion of the questions on the agenda, rather than threaten with strikes." "This all could end up as war - a catastrophe for the Middle East." Later on Tuesday, the Russian Foreign Ministry expressed dismay that the IAEA report due to be published soon has become a source of increased tension surrounding Iran's nuclear program. "Even before the official publication among the IAEA member states in Vienna, the report has become a cause for speculation, rumors and political gossip, which of course does little to honor those who are currently engaged in ratcheting up the current alarm," the Russian Foreign Ministry's press office said in a commentary. It also questioned whether the IAEA was able to ensure the appropriate confidentiality for its work, adding that the IAEA should be guided by the principle: "Do no harm."