According to a report by Anadolu Agency on Saturday, June 20, 2026, Russian Security Council Deputy Chairman Dmitry Medvedev has said that Israel is dissatisfied with the emerging US–Iran understanding and may pursue further escalation.
He made the remarks in a post on a Russian social platform, arguing that Iran had survived recent conflict pressures without decisive defeat despite leadership losses and missile strikes.
He said Israel remains frustrated with expectations of Iran’s collapse, adding that it would seek revenge and that no external authority could restrain it.
Medvedev warned that the Strait of Hormuz remains central to global energy security describing it as highly volatile and saying regional tensions could escalate further. He said: “The third party, Israel, is left aggrieved in its expectations of the complete defeat of Iran’s political regime, which means it will seek revenge. And no Trump can order it otherwise.”
Medvedev also said the agreement remains fragile and could be disrupted by renewed strikes or provocations in Lebanon, which he linked to political interests in Israel’s government. He added that the Strait of Hormuz has effectively become, in his words, “a Persian nuke,” referencing earlier statements.
Turning to Ukraine, he said Russia should abandon remaining constraints: “Only one thing should remain beyond the acceptable for us: the deliberate killing of civilians. Everything else is entirely permissible.”
He also questioned international conventions on warfare, arguing modern conflicts have changed.
He criticized Netherlands discussions about possible camps for Russian prisoners of war, rejecting the idea. He also made harsh remarks about Europe, saying: “Russia will not create concentration camps for Europeans. Radioactive bones and ashes would follow.”
Medvedev, former Russian president, has frequently issued strongly worded foreign policy statements since the Ukraine conflict began. He remains a key voice in Moscow’s security discourse and geopolitical commentary today widely.
