EU rejects Russian mediation between Iran, Israel

BRUSSELS

The European Commission on Monday rejected Russia's potential role as a mediator between Iran and Israel, saying Moscow lacks credibility.

"Let's be clear, Russia has zero credibility. Russia's track record shows that the only thing Russia is interested in is war. Russia," European Commission spokesperson Anouar El Anouni told a briefing in Brussels.

El Anouni stressed that Russia has "repeatedly violated international law and the UN Charter."

He also pointed to Moscow's close ties with Tehran, noting a recent Russia-Iran agreement that, he said, "signals deep cooperation across multiple areas, including foreign policy."

The EU continues to call for de-escalation through diplomatic efforts in line with international law.

Regional tensions have escalated since Friday when Israel launched coordinated airstrikes on multiple sites across Iran, including military and nuclear facilities, prompting Tehran to launch retaliatory strikes.

Israeli authorities said that at least 24 people have been killed and hundreds injured in Iranian missile attacks since Friday.

Iran, for its part, said that at least 224 people have been killed and over 1,000 others wounded in the Israeli assault.