Russia is warning Israel not to even consider striking Iran’s nuclear facilities, Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said today, according to the state-run TASS news agency.

“We have repeatedly warned and will continue to warn, caution (Israel) not to even hypothetically consider a strike on (Iran’s) nuclear facilities and nuclear infrastructureRyabkov said, according to TASS.

“This would constitute a disastrous development and a complete rejection of all existing principles in the field of nuclear safety assurance».

It was not immediately clear in what form Moscow sent this message to Israel.

After Iran’s missile attack on Israel on October 1, there was speculation that Israel would attack Iran’s nuclear facilities, as it has long threatened to do.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office said in a statement yesterday, Tuesday, that Israel would listen to the United States but decide how to act, according to its own national interests.

His statement was attached to a Washington Post article that said Netanyahu told President Joe Biden’s administration that Israel would strike Iranian military targets, but not nuclear or oil targets.

The state news agency reported that Ryabkov said that Moscow is in constant contact with Iran, regardless of the level of tension in the region.

Israel and Western countries have long worried that Iran is building a nuclear bomb under the guise of a civilian energy program, which Tehran denies.

Russia has strengthened its ties with the Islamic Republic of Iran since the start of its war in Ukraine and is preparing to sign a major partnership agreement with Tehran.