Russia voiced extreme concern over Iranian strikes on Israel and urged all parties to show restraint. Moscow condemned Israel’s strike on the Iranian consulate in Damascus, stating Tehran claimed its attack was in self-defense. Russia criticized the West for blocking UN Security Council responses to the Israeli strike. Former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev suggested that a war between Israel and Iran would negatively impact Joe Biden’s re-election prospects, as the U.S. seeks to avoid further conflict in the Middle East.