The comments came after Russia deployed a dozen warships to the Mediterranean Sea in what Russian newspaper Izvestia labelled as Moscow’s largest naval buildup since it entered the Syrian conflict in October 2015.
Russia is flexing its military muscles amid rumours Assad is gearing up for a major offensive on the last rebel-held enclave in northern Idlib province.
The Kremlin has also pointed the finger at the US, claiming Washington is harbouring its own forces in the Middle East in preparation for a potential strike on Syrian government forces.
But the Pentagon has dismissed the claims of a military buildup as “propaganda” and Washington sent an unambiguous message to both the Russian and Syrian governments.
On Tuesday, State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert said the US “will respond to any verified chemical weapons use in Idlib or elsewhere in Syria in a swift and appropriate manner”.
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CNN reported the buildup of Assad regime forces around Idlib was believed by the US to signal an all-out assault on the enclave could begin within days.
NATO chief spokeswoman, Oana Lungescu claimed the Russian Navy had dispatched “substantial naval capabilities” to the Mediterranean, including several ships equipped with modern cruise missiles.
She said: “We will not speculate on the intention of the Russian fleet, but it is important that all actors in the region exercise restraint and refrain from worsening an already disastrous humanitarian situation in Syria.”
The force included 10 vessels, most of them armed with long-range Kalibr cruise missiles, Izvestia reported, adding more ships were on the way.
Two submarines had also been deployed.
The UK has also been implicated in supposed US aggression in the region.
Russia’s Major-General Alexei Tsygankov, in charge of the centre for the reconciliation of warring parties in Syria, claimed UK special services were involved in plans for the alleged provocation.
Karen Pierce, the UK’s United Nation’s ambassador, hit back at the claims in an impassioned denial.
Speaking during a Security Council session on the humanitarian situation in Syria held on Tuesday, she said: “Even by the egregious standards of Russian propaganda, this is an extraordinary allegation.
“It is wholly untrue.”
But the Kremlin defended its stance with vigour, dismissing allegations the Syrian army possesses chemical weapons and claiming its statements were based on “concrete facts”.
Russia’s UN Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia said: “If the defence ministry says something, then it says that based on concrete facts.
“The Syrian armed forces do not have chemical weapons and have no plans to use them. There is no military need for that.
“We have stated that more than once. People in their right minds will not use means that are useless from a military point of view in order to trigger reprisals by three major powers.”
Defence Secretary James Mattis endeavoured to quell fears of an all-out conflict with Syria and Russia.
He told reporters on Tuesday: “I will assure you that the Department of State has been in active communication, recent active communication with Russia to enlist them in preventing this, now I’ll just leave it at that for right now, but the communication is going on.”