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A Russian Foreign Ministry spokesman today warned the United States of a possible nuclear disaster in a Syrian attack.
“If a warhead, by design or by chance, were to hit the Miniature Neutron Source Reactor (MNSR) near Damascus, the consequences could be catastrophic,” Aleksandr Lukashevich said, according to RT.com.
If the MSNR facility, which was built and supplied by China, is damaged in a U.S. attack, it could not only cause a massive nuclear disaster, but also trigger a much larger international conflict. If the facility is hit, according to Lukashevich, “it would no longer be possible to account for nuclear material, its safety and control.”
As President Obama continues to urge the U.S. Congress to allow him to strike Syria in a response against the use of chemical weapons, Iran has reaffirmed its solidarity and support for its regional ally, pledging support “until the end.”
As reported by AFP, Quds Force commander Qassem Soleimani has publicly addressed the looming threat of a U.S. strike on Syria:
“The aim of the United States is not to protect human rights … but to destroy the front of resistance (against Israel).”
Additionally, Iran’s Defence Minister Hossein Dehqan has ruled out sending military support into Syria:
“The Syrians do not need us to provide them with weapons because they have a defensive anti-aircraft system themselves.”
That defensive anti-aircraft system was recently provided by Russia. PressTV reports today that the defense system is “very efficient.” A source told the news website that it “is deeply layered and presumes the maximum use of fighter aircraft and all point and tactical air defense weapons.” It also could be used “to intercept cruise missiles,” which is the assumed weapon of choice in the proposed U.S. attack.