Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday told Iran’s Foreign Minister, Abbas Araqchi, that there was no justification for the recent US bombing of Iran, stating that Moscow was working to support the Iranian people.
Putin hosted Araqchi in Moscow just two days after US President Donald Trump ordered strikes on Iran’s three main nuclear sites.
“The absolutely unprovoked aggression against Iran has no basis and no justification.
For our part, we are making efforts to assist the Iranian people. I am very glad that you are in Moscow today.
This will give us the opportunity to discuss all these pressing issues and think together about how we could get out of today’s situation,” Putin said in televised remarks.
Araqchi responded by saying Iran’s actions were acts of legitimate self-defence and thanked Russia for condemning the US airstrikes.
He also conveyed best wishes to Putin from Iran’s Supreme Leader and President, adding: “Russia is today on the right side of history and international law.”
While Russia has pledged diplomatic support, it remains unclear what concrete actions Moscow might take to aid Tehran. The strategic cooperation treaty signed between the two countries in January does not include a mutual defence clause.
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Prior to the strikes, Moscow had warned that US military intervention could destabilise the region and lead to severe consequences.
When asked what kind of assistance Russia might offer, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said: “It all depends on what Iran needs,” adding that Moscow’s offer to mediate the crisis was, in itself, a form of support.
Peskov strongly condemned the US attacks: “An increase in the number of participants in this conflict is happening or rather, has happened.
A new spiral of escalation of tension in the region. And, of course, we condemn this and express deep regret.
In addition, of course, it remains to be seen what happened to Iran’s nuclear facilities whether there is a radiation hazard.”
Peskov also confirmed that US President Trump did not inform Putin in detail about the planned strikes.
“There was no detailed information. The topic of Iran itself was repeatedly discussed by the presidents during their most recent conversations. Certain proposals were voiced by Russia, but there was no direct, detailed information about this,” he said.
