"The Moscow-Tehran axis is falling apart before our eyes." - Ukrainian expert Igor Semyvolos:
It has been confirmed that Iran did indeed seek assistance from Russia, invoking clauses on "mutual assistance in the event of a threat to sovereignty." Moscow, however, resorted to legalistic maneuvering: since the U.S. and Israeli strikes are framed as "targeted operations against terrorist infrastructure," rather than a full-scale invasion, the Kremlin interprets this as a case that does not fall under the collective defense provisions.
Iran reportedly asked to activate S-400 systems and Krasukha/Leer-3 electronic warfare systems at Russian bases in Syria (Khmeimim and Tartus) to blind Israeli aircraft. Instead, Russia not only refused but, according to some reports, even switched off transponders and active radar systems at its bases during the flight of Israeli missiles, in order to avoid accidental involvement and any pretext for entering the conflict.
The Kremlin’s refusal has been heard in Pyongyang, Beijing, and across the Global South. Russia has demonstrated that it is a "fair-weather ally." Iranian elites - particularly the pragmatic wing - are now openly saying that the strategic bet on Russia was a mistake that led to a national catastrophe.
“Clearly, many Chinese people also desire liberation from the totalitarian regime — that is, the CCP.”
On US and Israel Strike Iran: NTD Live Special Coverage earlier today, China commentator @DavidZhang360 , host of David on China and China Insider on YouTube, joined NTD’s @tiffanymeier_ to discuss some eye-opening comments from Chinese internet users.
China could not answer whether its call for "respect for the sovereignty of all countries" also applies to Ukraine.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning called for "respect for the sovereignty of all countries following the events in Venezuela." However, she could not directly answer whether this also applies to Ukraine.