Pakistan, Jan. 16 -- Russia has strongly criticised what it described as attempts by Western countries to exploit instability in Iran to force political change. Officials warned that such actions violate the United Nations Charter and undermine established principles of international law.

Speaking at a regular press briefing, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova said Russia firmly rejects any modern policy based on regime change. She stressed that countries claiming to support international law should not interfere in the internal affairs of sovereign states.

Zakharova explained that pressure on Iran is not limited to the United States and Israel but also involves several European Union countries. She said this pressure include...