Russian President Vladimir Putin told Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi at talks in Moscow of “unprovoked aggression against Iran.” Putin made the statements at the start of the 23 June talks in the Kremlin, where the Iranian foreign minister arrived, likely referring to Israeli and US strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities.
“Unprovoked absolutely aggression against Iran has no grounds and no justification,” Putin said, adding that Russia was “making efforts to help the Iranian people.” He did not give details about those efforts.
The Russian president also asked to convey “best wishes” to Iranian President Massoud Pezeshkian and Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.
Araqchi, for his part, said Iran was “defending its sovereignty” and thanked Putin for condemning the strikes on Iran, saying Russia was on the “right side of history”.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said earlier, when asked what assistance Russia could give Iran, that Araqchi was expected to offer.
Putin himself had earlier noted that there was no clause on military co-operation in the partnership agreement with Tehran.
Iranian state media earlier reported that Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi has arrived in Moscow, where he will hold consultations with senior officials, including Russian President Vladimir Putin, on 23 June. Putin’s recent offer to help mediate talks with Tehran was effectively rejected by U.S. President Donald Trump, although the U.S. leader had not previously rejected such mediation.