Russia urges Iran, regional powers to exercise restraint amid US military buildup

2026-02-19 - 12:02

Russia issued a diplomatic appeal Thursday urging Iran and regional actors to "exercise restraint and caution" amid what the Kremlin described as an "unprecedented" escalation of tensions following significant US military deployments. Spokesman Dmitry Peskov emphasized Moscow's expectation that political and diplomatic means will "prevail in the search for a settlement," specifically calling on "our Iranian friends and all parties in the region" to adopt peaceful resolution mechanisms as an absolute priority. US Buildup and Geneva Talks Context Peskov's remarks follow the conclusion of the second round of indirect US-Iran negotiations in Geneva, mediated by Oman, where both sides acknowledged progress despite persistent differences. US Vice President JD Vance described the talks as productive "in some ways," while noting Tehran remained unwilling to engage on certain Trump administration "red lines." Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi characterized the atmosphere as "more constructive" with demonstrated progress. The diplomatic engagement occurs against the backdrop of a major American military buildup, including the USS Abraham Lincoln carrier strike group deployment, with the USS Gerald R. Ford en route, accompanied by additional fighter aircraft. Russian-Iranian Naval Cooperation Concurrently, Peskov confirmed that a naval exercise involving Russian and Iranian forces in the Sea of Oman and northern Indian Ocean was planned and agreed upon in advance, proceeding as scheduled Thursday. The drills underscore continuing military cooperation between Moscow and Tehran even as Russia publicly urges diplomatic restraint. The dual-track approach reflects Russia's complex positioning as both a partner to Iran and a stakeholder in regional stability, with Moscow carefully calibrating its response to the escalating US-Iranian confrontation while maintaining its own strategic interests.