Russia's Medvedev: US-Iran talks were 'just a cover' for attack

2026-02-28 - 12:52

Dmitry Medvedev, a senior Russian security official, launched a blistering critique Saturday of the US-Israeli military operation against Iran, alleging that ongoing diplomatic talks were merely a deception while Washington prepared for war. "The peacekeeper is at it again. The talks with Iran were just a cover. Everyone knew that," Medvedev wrote on social media, directly challenging the narrative that military action came despite active negotiations. His remarks reflect Moscow's growing alignment with Tehran amid escalating confrontation with the West. Historical comparison invoked In a striking rhetorical move, Medvedev contrasted the relative youth of the American republic with Iran's ancient civilization, suggesting long-term historical forces favor Tehran. "So who has more patience to wait for the enemy's sorry end now? The US is just 249 years old. The Persian Empire was founded over 2500 years ago. Let's see what happens in 100 years or so...," he added. The comment implicitly frames the current conflict as a momentary episode in a much longer historical arc, while subtly mocking American pretensions to permanent dominance. Russian skepticism validated Moscow has long expressed skepticism about Washington's intentions in nuclear negotiations with Tehran, with Russian officials repeatedly warning that diplomatic engagement might serve other strategic purposes. Saturday's events appear to validate that skepticism in Russian eyes, as the most recent round of Omani-mediated talks concluded in Geneva just Thursday, with US Vice President JD Vance meeting the Omani mediator Friday hours before strikes began. For Moscow, the timing confirms warnings that Washington cannot be trusted as a negotiating partner. Wider implications for global order Medvedev's commentary extends beyond the immediate crisis to question the broader reliability of American diplomatic commitments. If nuclear talks can be used as cover for military action, Russian officials argue, then no negotiation with Washington can be taken at face value. This perception strengthens Moscow's argument that countries must maintain military deterrence rather than rely on diplomatic guarantees from the United States. As Israel and the US pursue what they describe as operations against the "Iranian regime" and Tehran asserts its right to self-defense, Russia's positioning alongside Iran suggests the conflict may further entrench great power divisions. Regional powers including Türkiye watch closely as the confrontation threatens to expand beyond the Middle East's borders, following last June's US strikes on Iranian nuclear sites during the 12-day Israel-Iran war.