Israel’s attacks on Iran are a “clear attempt to initiate regime change in Iran” from the Russian perspective, political scientist Nikolay Surkov tells Al Jazeera.

“This is what Russia would do its best to prevent, because we fear very serious destabilisation, not only in the Middle East, not only in the Gulf, but also in the South Caucasus and in the Caspian region, because Iran is an important partner in many areas and in many regions,” the Russian analyst told Al Jazeera from Moscow.

Destabilisation of Iran could mean that some strategic projects for Russia will be abandoned, he added.

“For example, Russia was investing heavily in the North-South corridor, which was supposed to connect Russia to the Gulf States, and to the ports in the Persian Gulf, and in the Sea of Arabia,” Surkov said.

“From the Russian perspective, without the active US participation in this campaign, Israel will not be able to achieve regime change”, he said.