Dmitry Medvedev said Iran's influence over the Strait of Hormuz gives Tehran leverage comparable to a "nuclear weapon," arguing that its ability to restrict passage through the strategic waterway demonstrates its regional reach.
Speaking to journalists following a visit to Iran, the senior Russian official said Tehran could also disrupt shipping through the Bab el-Mandeb in the event of a broader regional conflict, warning that such a move could bring oil and commercial transport to a halt.
"I hope it does not come to that, but all countries seeking conflict in the region should remember this," Medvedev said.
The former Russian president also condemned recent US strikes on Iran, describing them as "completely unprovoked" and arguing that Tehran posed no threat to the United States while negotiations between the two countries were ongoing.
He said the attacks undermined international law and claimed that Moscow had previously proposed a peaceful solution to concerns surrounding Iran's nuclear programme.
Commenting on the US-Iran memorandum of understanding, Medvedev said diplomacy remained preferable to conflict, but cautioned that reaching a final agreement would be "extremely difficult," particularly regarding sanctions relief and funding for Iran's reconstruction.
Medvedev also revealed that he discussed with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian the creation of a platform for countries facing international sanctions to coordinate efforts against what Moscow describes as "illegal" restrictions.
According to Medvedev, the proposal, first put forward by Tehran several years ago, could eventually take the form of an agreement or an organization bringing together sanctioned states.
The Russian official held talks with President Pezeshkian in Tehran on Friday on the sidelines of funeral ceremonies for Ali Khamenei.
Medvedev travelled to Iran as a special envoy of Russian President Vladimir Putin to convey Moscow's condolences.
Khamenei was killed in a joint US-Israeli attack on Iran on February 28, an event that triggered nearly three weeks of war and sharply escalated tensions across the Middle East before a ceasefire was reached under a US-Iran memorandum brokered by regional mediators.
