MOSCOW: Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday condemned the recent U.S. strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities, labeling them as “unjustified” and warning they are pushing the world closer to a major crisis. He pledged Russia’s support for the Iranian people but did not outline any specific measures.
Putin’s remarks came during a meeting at the Kremlin with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi, who was accompanied by Russian officials including Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and GRU military intelligence chief Igor Kostyukov. Araqchi was expected to deliver a personal message from Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, appealing for greater Russian support. While Moscow did not confirm receiving the letter, Araqchi conveyed best wishes from both Khamenei and Iran’s president.
Putin denounced the military aggression against Iran as completely baseless and emphasized Russia's intent to find ways to de-escalate the mounting tensions. Addressing a gathering of advanced military recruits later, Putin noted the increasing involvement of foreign powers in the Middle East conflict, warning that global security is now “at a very dangerous line.”
Despite Moscow’s recent military cooperation with Tehran, including a 20-year strategic agreement, Russia has avoided a direct confrontation with the U.S., especially while embroiled in its own military operations in Ukraine. The agreement lacks any mutual defense obligations, and Russia has also expressed concern over any Iranian pursuit of nuclear weapons.
Internally, there have been growing calls in Russia for stronger backing of Iran, including military aid similar to what the U.S. has provided Ukraine. At the U.N., Russia, alongside China and Pakistan, urged an immediate ceasefire in the Middle East, with Russia’s UN envoy Vassily Nebenzia sharply criticizing U.S. actions and drawing parallels to past misleading justifications for war.
