Wafric News – June 23, 2025

Moscow - In a bold diplomatic gesture underscoring deepening ties, Russian President Vladimir Putin hosted Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi at the Kremlin on Monday. The meeting comes at a critical moment, as Israeli airstrikes continue to target Tehran and the United States intensifies its stance against Iran.

Putin, flanked by Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and senior aide Yury Ushakov, delivered a firm condemnation of the recent US military actions. Speaking to the Iranian delegation in a formal Kremlin setting, the Russian leader declared Moscow's commitment to standing by the Iranian people.

“This aggression against Iran lacks any legal or moral justification,” Putin stated. “Our relationship with Iran is built on years of mutual respect and trust. We remain dedicated to supporting the Iranian nation in this difficult time.” He further suggested that the United States had been influenced by Israel in its decision to strike Iran.

According to Putin, he has held discussions with key global leaders, including US President Donald Trump, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, UAE President Mohammed Al Nahyan, and Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian. However, the Kremlin did not confirm the timing of these calls, and had previously stated that no communication with Trump was planned following the latest US strikes.

Minister Araghchi expressed gratitude for Russia’s support, calling Moscow “a trusted partner” and commending the alliance for being “on the right side of history.” He emphasized the growth of Iran-Russia cooperation in recent years, particularly in security and energy sectors.

Iran has been a key ally to Russia since the onset of the Ukraine conflict in 2022. Tehran has supplied Russia with military equipment, including short-range ballistic missiles and a large fleet of Shahed drones. U.S. intelligence has also reported that Iran helped establish a drone production facility within Russian territory.

In return, Russia has backed Iran diplomatically and politically amid its confrontations with Israel and growing isolation from the West. “Russia has always played a constructive role, especially in nuclear discussions,” Araghchi noted, citing Moscow’s contributions to Iran’s nuclear development efforts.

Russia continues to support operations at Iran’s only nuclear power facility in Bushehr. President Putin recently confirmed that over 200 Russian experts are currently stationed at the site. He also acknowledged Israeli cooperation in helping safeguard Russian personnel at the plant.

As tensions escalate in the Middle East, the Moscow-Tehran partnership appears more aligned than ever — a signal that the geopolitical landscape continues to shift in defiance of Western pressures.