Russian presidential spokesperson Dmitry Peskov has sharply criticized the West and Israel, warning that any attempt to bring about regime change in Iran or to assassinate Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei would lead to catastrophic consequences. His remarks come amid rising tensions in the region and growing speculation about possible direct U.S. involvement in Israel’s military campaign against Tehran.
“[Regime change in Iran] is unimaginable. It should be unacceptable — even talking about that should be unacceptable for everyone,” Peskov said in an interview with Sky News published on Friday. “Those who are speaking about [killing Khamenei], they should keep it in mind. They will open the Pandora’s box.”
According to Politico, the Kremlin’s sharp rhetoric reflects Moscow’s growing concern over a potential escalation in the Middle East — one that could ultimately affect Russia’s own strategic interests. Peskov emphasized that outside interference, particularly from the United States, could destabilize the region even further.
“The direct participation of other actors in the conflict is potentially even more dangerous,” he noted. “It will lead only to another circle of confrontation and escalation of tension in the region.”
Peskov’s remarks came as former U.S. President Donald Trump’s team announced on Thursday that he would decide within two weeks whether the United States would join Israel’s military operations against Iran.
Meanwhile, the Israeli military campaign continues. On Friday morning, an Iranian missile struck the southern Israeli city of Be’er Sheva. According to local authorities, it was a “direct hit,” damaging buildings and injuring seven people.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) responded immediately. According to their statement, Israeli forces carried out airstrikes on three Iranian missile platforms prepared for launch and reported killing an Iranian commander involved in the attack. Overnight, more than 60 fighter jets struck dozens of military targets inside Iran, including missile production facilities in the Tehran area.
Despite the intensifying violence, Israeli President Isaac Herzog attempted to tone down the rhetoric on Thursday, saying that killing Khamenei was not Israel’s objective. Still, he added that the Supreme Leader’s removal “would ultimately benefit the Iranian people.” However, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz took a more hardline stance earlier that day:
“Khamenei will be held accountable,” he said, in response to the missile strike that damaged an Israeli hospital.
With the threat of direct confrontation between Iran, Israel, and potentially the United States becoming increasingly real, the Kremlin seems eager to prevent a full-blown regional war — especially one that could spiral out of control. Russia itself has been engaged in a full-scale invasion of Ukraine for more than three years, destabilizing Europe’s security structure. But in the Middle East, judging by Peskov’s comments, Moscow appears to prefer restraint.
In this context, Peskov’s statement is not just a warning — it’s a diplomatic signal. The Kremlin is clearly trying to convey to Washington and Tel Aviv that any attempt to assassinate Khamenei could become a point of no return, unleashing internal chaos in Iran and, more broadly, triggering a regional collapse with far-reaching and unpredictable consequences.
This article was prepared based on materials published by Politico. The author does not claim authorship of the original text but presents their interpretation of the content for informational purposes.
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