The State News Agency Tass reported, Russian deputy foreign minister Sergei Ryabkov informed reporters that the diplomatic standoff between Washington and Tehran threatens to boil over into armed conflict. He blamed the United States for increasing tensions in the Persian Gulf and suggested that war is increasingly likely following months of deteriorating relations. He said in his statement, “The situation is very alarming. We can see that, in fact, the risk of a direct conflict has risen to such an extent that it is getting harder to predict future developments”. Ryabkov placed solid blame for the tense situation on the United States. He said, “The reason is clear: Washington purposefully seeks to raise tensions around Iran”.
It is noteworthy that the diplomatic crisis between the Washington and Tehran started when President Donald Trump withdrew from the JCPOA (Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action), known as the Iran nuclear deal. The other signatories including the U.K, France, Germany, China, Russia, and the European Union remained party to the agreement. Russia has repeatedly criticized American policy on Iran. The JCPOA imposed strict limits on Iran’s nuclear program in exchange for the lifting of punitive sanctions. But Trump was repeatedly critical of the Obama-era accord while on the campaign trail. He also decried the agreement as horrible and laughable.
Trump demanded a renegotiation of the deal with more restrictions on Tehran’s nuclear program. He also limits on the country’s ballistic missile research and regional influence. The Iranian regime dismissed such demands out of hand. Trump withdrew waivers that had allowed nations to continue doing business with Iran in May without the risk of being sanctioned. The White House did so to try and drive down vital Iranian oil exports to zero. The oil tankers were bombed by an unknown actor off the coast of the UAE in May. Two more were bombed as they transited the Strait of Hormuz off the coast of Iran in June. The White House blamed Iran for both incidents.