Russian Lawmaker Warns of Miscalculation as Israel-Iran Tensions Flare

A senior Russian parliamentarian has issued a stark warning that the escalating conflict between Israel and Iran could spiral into a broader war, with the United States at risk of a major strategic error. Alexei Chepa, First Deputy Chairman of the State Duma's International Affairs Committee, made the comments in an interview with Lenta.ru.

The remarks follow Israel's reported pre-emptive strike on Iranian targets on the morning of Saturday, February 28. Israel declared a state of emergency, anticipating a retaliatory move from Tehran.

Chepa noted that the strike occurred despite recent negotiations in Iran by U.S. Presidential Special Envoy Stephen Whitkoff concerning uranium enrichment agreements. The lawmaker emphasized that while Israel carried out the attack, the consequences now threaten to expand far beyond the region.

"If the senior clergy and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps are destroyed or capitulate, the Americans will be counting on internal opposition, on a revolutionary process they want to unleash in Iran," Chepa stated. "They will think this ends the conflict and limits Iran's capabilities. But I don't know how things will develop. It's possible this grows into a more global conflict, and here the Americans could miscalculate."

He reiterated Russia's firm opposition to all conflicts, drawing a parallel to European security proposals Moscow made in 2021, which he said were ignored and led to the Ukraine conflict. Now, he concluded, the Middle East faces the threat of a severe and widening war.

The strike has prompted analysis from other quarters, with political scientist Perendzhiev suggesting Israel's motive was to draw the United States into direct military action against Iran.