Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday slammed assaults on Iran as “unprovoked” and “unjustified” in a gathering with Tehran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, however didn’t announce any concrete assist to his key ally within the Middle East.
Moscow is a vital backer of Iran, however has not swung forcefully behind its accomplice even because the United States launched strikes on its nuclear services over the weekend.
“This absolutely unprovoked aggression against Iran is unjustified,” Putin mentioned in televised remarks to Araghchi in the beginning of their assembly.
Putin didn’t single out the US assaults, speaking as an alternative broadly of “strikes” towards Iran, although the Kremlin had earlier Monday mentioned it condemned and regretted the US strikes.
“There has been a new escalation of tensions in the region, and, of course, we condemn this and express our deep regret in this regard,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov instructed reporters, shortly earlier than Putin met Araghchi within the Kremlin.
Putin has pitched himself as a mediator between Iran and Israel, an concept rejected by US President Donald Trump final week.
Araghchi instructed Putin that Russia has been a “partner and companion” to Tehran and hailed ties between Tehran and Moscow “very close and longstanding”.
“Iran is exercising legitimate defence against these aggressions,” he added.
Since Israel launched its wave of strikes on June 13, triggering Iran to reply with missiles and drones, Russia has not publicly provided army assist to Tehran.
Putin and different officers have additionally downplayed Moscow’s obligations beneath a sweeping strategic partnership settlement signed with Tehran simply months in the past, highlighting that it’s not a mutual defence pact.
Russia was “making efforts to help the Iranian people,” Putin mentioned within the assembly, with out elaborating.
Asked what particular assist Russia would possibly provide, Peskov instructed reporters: “It all depends on what Iran needs. We have offered our mediation services.”
Peskov additionally mentioned the US strikes on Iran wouldn’t have an effect on bilateral relations between Moscow and Washington, saying they had been “different issues”.
Putin mentioned final week that Iran had not requested any assist from Russia.
Source: www.anews.com.tr