On September 18, 2025, Russia’s representative to the IAEA, Mikhail Ulyanov, accused the United States and Israel of conducting “premeditated attacks” against Iran’s nuclear facilities in June 2025. Speaking at an event hosted by Iran during the IAEA General Conference in Vienna, Ulyanov condemned the alleged strikes as a violation of international law and a major blow to the global non-proliferation regime.
Background
This statement follows a period of heightened tensions. In June 2025, reports emerged of significant damage to several key Iranian nuclear sites, including the Fordow and Natanz enrichment facilities. While Israel and the U.S. have not officially claimed responsibility, Iranian officials have publicly blamed them. The incidents led Iran to suspend IAEA inspections, effectively blinding the international community to its nuclear activities.
Analysis
Ulyanov’s strong condemnation serves multiple Russian foreign policy goals. By framing the US and Israel as aggressors, Moscow seeks to shift blame for the current nuclear impasse away from Iran and onto Western powers. This aligns with Russia’s broader strategy of challenging the U.S.-promoted “rules-based international order.” For Iran, Russia’s vocal support at a major international forum like the IAEA provides crucial diplomatic cover and legitimizes its decision to suspend inspections on security grounds. Western nations, however, will likely view this as a coordinated effort by Moscow and Tehran to deflect from Iran’s non-compliance with its NPT obligations.
Conclusion
Russia’s public accusation at the IAEA intensifies the diplomatic fallout from the alleged June attacks. The incident is now framed as a central point of contention between Western powers and the emerging Russia-China-Iran axis, further complicating any future efforts to revive nuclear diplomacy.
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