Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Russia called on Iran and all parties in the region to exercise restraint and caution. file | Photo credit: Reuters
Russia on Thursday (Feb 19, 2026) said it was seeing unprecedented tension around Iran as the United States moved military assets into West Asia, and the Kremlin urged both Tehran and “other parties” to exercise prudence and restraint.
As the US negotiates with Tehran on curbing its nuclear program, Iran has deployed warships nearby.
Russia has a strategic partnership agreement with Iran, but it does not include a mutual defense clause. A Russian naval corvette conducted exercises with the Iranian navy in the Gulf of Oman this week, according to the Russian Defense Ministry.
“These are planned exercises; they are coordinated in advance. Russia will continue to develop relations with Iran and in doing so, we call on our Iranian friends and all parties in the region to exercise restraint and caution, and we urge them to prioritize political and diplomatic means in resolving any issues,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters.
“Currently, we are witnessing unprecedented tensions in the region. But we still hope that political and diplomatic channels and negotiations will continue in search of a solution.”
Published – February 19, 2026 04:15 pm IST
