Russia condemns strikes near St. Nicholas Orthodox Church in Tehran

Russia on Friday condemned a US-Israeli attack near St. Nicholas Orthodox Church in Tehran.

"We strongly condemn any damage to religious sites," said Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova, adding that this "flagrant violation" of the rights of believers must receive due recognition from the international community.

She said Moscow was shocked by reports of serious damage and significant material losses caused by the US-Israeli strike on April 1.

Zakharova said the damaged church is administered by the Russian Orthodox Church and is included on Iran's national list of cultural heritage sites.

"Since its construction in 1945, designed by the distinguished Russian architect N. Markov, this religious center has united our diaspora in Iran, serving as a place of strength and spiritual connection to their historical homeland," she said.

She said the main strike hit the former US Embassy complex, located just meters from the church, which the Iranian revolutionary youth seized in 1979.

Regional tensions have escalated since the United States and Israel launched a joint offensive on Iran on Feb. 28, which has killed more than 1,340 people to date, including then-Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.

Tehran has retaliated with drone and missile strikes targeting Israel, as well as Jordan, Iraq and Gulf countries hosting US military assets.