US strikes on Iran will trigger nuclear weapon race among countries: Russian lawmaker

Moscow: A senior Russian lawmaker on Sunday said that the direct armed intervention by the US in Iran will increase global escalation, and many countries will begin to create nuclear weapons and hypersonic missiles.

Deputy chair of Russia’s Federation Council’s (Upper House) International Affairs Committee Andrei Klimov said, “The world has moved up another rung on the ladder of global escalation. Direct armed intervention in the conflict by the United States, and official and publicised, will cause a kind of chain reaction.”

“Many countries will think about whether they should start creating their own nuclear weapons and hypersonic missiles. In order to then bring the world to a calmer state, colossal efforts will be needed," he told state-run news agency TASS.

The Kremlin or Russia’s Foreign Ministry has not yet reacted to the US bombardment of Iran’s nuclear facilities.

The US on early Sunday morning attacked Iran's Fordo, Isfahan and Natanz nuclear sites, aiming to destroy the country's nuclear programme. US President Donald Trump warned of additional strikes if Iran retaliates.