Russia calls on the "hotheads" to abandon the escalation of tension around Iran. This was announced on December 30 by the official representative of the Russian Foreign Ministry, Maria Zakharova, Izvestia reported.

She also said that Israel's comments about the possibility of military strikes on Iran are cause for legitimate concern.

At a joint press conference with Israeli regime's prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu on December 29, US President Donald Trump claimed that Washington is ready to engage in dialogue with Tehran but the option of using force remains on the table.

"I hope they're not trying to build up again, because if they are, we're going to have no choice but very quickly to eradicate that buildup," he stated.

The openly confrontational tone of Trump’s remarks did not go unanswered. Within hours of the December 29 threat, senior Iranian officials across the political, military, and diplomatic spectrum issued firm responses, rejecting Washington’s rhetoric and reaffirming Iran’s right to defend its sovereignty and national security.