Post #29034

⚡️Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova's statement on the damage caused to St Nicholas Cathedral in Tehran as a result of missile strikes(April 3, 2026) 💬 We are shocked by reports of the serious damage and significant material losses inflicted on St Nicholas Orthodox Cathedral in Tehran on April 1 as a result of yet another barbaric air strike by the US-Israeli tandem. A unique historical and architectural landmark has been affected – an Orthodox church unlike any other, under the jurisdiction of the Russian Orthodox Church and included on the national register of cultural heritage of the Islamic Republic of Iran. Since its construction in 1945, based on the design of the outstanding Russian architect Nikolai Markov, this religious centre has united our diaspora in Iran, providing a source of strength and a spiritual link to the historical Motherland. The entire Orthodox community of Tehran, regardless of citizenship, has contributed through labour or donations to its preservation. Particularly striking is the fact that the main strike hit the compound of the former US Embassy, located just metres from the cathedral, which was taken over by Iranian revolutionary youth back in 1979. This gives grounds to believe that the Americans have effectively admitted their own helplessness and have finally lost faith in their military machine’s ability to force its way triumphantly back into Tehran. ❗️We strongly condemn any harm inflicted on religious sites. We are convinced that this egregious violation of the rights of believers must receive a proper response from the international community.