Russia won't defend Iran if the United States or Israel decide to launch an attack.

The president of Russia, Vladimir Putin, will not intervene in defense of Iran if the United States or Israel decides to launch attacks against that country. This was confirmed by the Russian Deputy Foreign Minister, Andrey Rudenko.

The statement comes in a context of rising tensions, after the Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, called for a solution "similar to Libya's" regarding the Iranian nuclear program and the supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

During a meeting in the Oval Office with Netanyahu on Monday, the U.S. President Donald Trump announced that direct talks between Washington and Tehran will begin next Saturday.

At the same time, Trump also issued a warning: if the diplomatic route fails, Iran will face "a great danger" and reiterated that "it can't have a nuclear weapon."

Despite the military ties between Moscow and Tehran, Rudenko clarified that Russia is not obligated to offer support in the event of an attack by the United States, although he acknowledged that a conflict would have "serious consequences."

It is worth remembering that in January, Putin and the Iranian President, Masoud Pezeshkian, signed a strategic partnership agreement to strengthen bilateral military and political cooperation.

"I believe that in the event of a conflict between Iran and the United States, which we intend to avoid at all costs due to the potentially disastrous consequences for the region, we do not want Russia to be dragged into another conflict resolution," Rudenko stated before the State Duma on Tuesday.

However, he admitted that this scenario is possible: "I trust that our government will take all necessary measures," he added.

He also emphasized that "in such a scenario, Russia is not obligated to provide military assistance," as the treaty signed between both countries doesn't imply a defensive alliance.

These statements come on the eve of a new round of high-level indirect negotiations between Iran and the United States, scheduled for Saturday in Oman.