Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday denounced the recent US strikes on Iran’s nuclear sites, calling them “unjustified” and warning that such actions are pushing the world toward a dangerous brink. While he expressed solidarity with the Iranian people, he stopped short of offering concrete assistance.
Meeting with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi at the Kremlin — alongside Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, foreign policy aide Yuri Ushakov, and military intelligence chief Igor Kostyukov — Putin emphasised the need for de-escalation.
“The aggression against Iran was entirely unprovoked and without justification,” Putin said. “We want to explore ways to calm the situation and are doing what we can to support the Iranian people.”
According to a senior Iranian source, Araqchi delivered a letter from Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei seeking greater Russian backing. While Iranian officials confirmed this, Moscow has not acknowledged receiving the letter. Araqchi also conveyed greetings from Khamenei and President Ebrahim Raisi.
Later, addressing military cadets, Putin highlighted the growing instability in the Middle East and the dangerous involvement of external powers. Without naming the US, he said: “Outside forces are being drawn into the conflict, bringing the world closer to a perilous threshold.”
Iranian officials, speaking privately, voiced frustration with what they see as insufficient Russian support and urged stronger action against the US and Israel, though they did not specify what measures they sought.
Despite a strategic partnership agreement signed earlier this year, Russia has refrained from pledging military defense for Iran. Moscow continues to oppose Iran’s pursuit of nuclear weapons, citing concerns over triggering a regional arms race.
Some Iranian officials reportedly feel let down by both Russia and China. Although Moscow intervened in Syria in 2015 to support President Bashar al-Assad, it withheld troops and air support during critical advances on Damascus in late 2024, though it did offer Assad asylum.
Within Russia, certain voices have urged the Kremlin to match the US military assistance provided to Ukraine — including calls to supply Iran with air defense systems, precision-guided missiles, and satellite intelligence.
Meanwhile, at the UN Security Council on Sunday, Russia, China, and Pakistan introduced a draft resolution demanding an immediate and unconditional ceasefire in the Middle East in the wake of the US strikes. Russia’s UN envoy, Vassily Nebenzia, drew parallels to the 2003 Iraq invasion.
“Once again, we’re being asked to believe Washington’s fictions — to impose more suffering on millions across the Middle East,” Nebenzia said. “This only reinforces our view that the US has learned nothing from history.”
