Russian Security Council issues US-Israel ground op warning

The Pentagon continues to deploy forces to the Middle East despite negotiations with Tehran, Moscow has said

The US and Israel could be exploiting talks with Iran to prepare for a ground attack on the country, the Russian Security Council has said.

The first round of negotiations between Washington and Tehran, which took place in Islamabad, Pakistan at the weekend, did not result in a breakthrough. Iranian officials blamed the failure of the talks on “unrealistic demands” by the Americans, but expressed readiness to continue looking for a diplomatic solution to the conflict. US President Donald Trump claimed on Tuesday that the next round of discussions could take place at the same venue “over the next two days.” 

In a statement on Tuesday, the office of the Russian Security Council warned that “the US and Israel may use peace talks to prepare for a ground operation against Iran.”

This assessment is based on the fact that “the Pentagon continues to build up the US grouping in the region” even as negotiations are underway, the key body, headed by Russian President Vladimir Putin, said.

READ MORE: End of Iran war ‘very close’ – Trump

The US-Israeli attack on Iran on February 28 came as Tehran and Washington were engaged in negotiations over Iran’s nuclear program, sanctions relief, and broader regional security issues. Last June, Israel also bombed the Islamic Republic’s nuclear facilities amid US-Iranian talks, sparking a 12-day conflict with Tehran.

DETAILS TO FOLLOW