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.

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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.

“If the negotiations fail to achieve the intended goals, the hostilities may resume with greater intensity after two weeks,” the statement said.

Trump earlier signaled he has no intention of prolonging the two-week ceasefire with Tehran, which is set to expire on April 22. The conflict “could end either way, but I think a deal is preferable because then they [Iran] can rebuild,” he told ABC News.

Tehran has said it is seeking a permanent end to the conflict rather than an extension of the truce, with a final agreement that would include guarantees against further attacks, sanctions relief, and ability to continue enriching uranium for peaceful purposes.

According to the Russian Security Council’s assessment, Iran “still possesses a significant stockpile of weapons,” with which it could resist further aggressive moves by Washington and West Jerusalem.

The country’s civilian and military leadership remains stable, with the Iranian society unifying around the government in Tehran since the US-Israeli attack a month-and-a-half ago, it added.

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

Iranian parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, who headed Tehran’s team at the talks in Islamabad, warned earlier that the Islamic Republic is ready for a possible ground attack by American troops and will “rain fire upon them.” Tehran also warned that it would retaliate to a land operation by destroying energy infrastructure in the Gulf states.