Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Monday that the “unjustified” US attacks on Iran’s nuclear facilities were pushing the world toward grave danger. He promised to try to help the Iranian people, though he offered no specific commitments.
US President Donald Trump and Israeli leaders have publicly discussed regime change in Iran and the possibility of targeting Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei — steps Moscow fears could plunge the region into a wider war.
Putin received Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi at the Kremlin alongside Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, Kremlin foreign policy aide Yuri Ushakov, and GRU military intelligence chief Igor Kostyukov.
“The absolutely unprovoked aggression against Iran has no basis and no justification,” Putin told Araqchi. “We want to discuss ways to de-escalate the crisis. For our part, we are making efforts to assist the Iranian people.”
A senior Iranian source told Reuters that Araqchi delivered a letter from Supreme Leader Khamenei requesting increased support from Russia. While Moscow did not confirm the letter, Araqchi conveyed best wishes from both Iran’s Supreme Leader and President.
In a later meeting with military cadets, Putin referred to the growing Middle East conflict and the involvement of outside powers — without naming the US directly.
“Extra-regional powers are being drawn into the conflict,” Putin said. “All this brings the world to a very dangerous line.”
Iranian sources told Reuters they were dissatisfied with Russia’s level of support so far and wanted Putin to take stronger action against the US and Israel. They did not specify what kind of support was being requested.
Despite a 20-year strategic partnership agreement signed earlier this year, Russia has not pledged military defense of Iran. Moscow has also reiterated it opposes Iran developing nuclear weapons, fearing a nuclear arms race in the region.
Privately, Iranian officials say they feel abandoned by both Russia and China.
Although Russia intervened militarily in Syria in 2015 to aid Iran’s ally Bashar al-Assad, it declined to provide troops or air support when Assad’s enemies advanced on Damascus in late 2024, though it granted him asylum.
Inside Russia, some voices have called for Moscow to match the US military support given to Ukraine — including supplying Iran with air defense systems, precision missiles, and satellite intelligence.
At the UN Security Council on Sunday, Russia, China, and Pakistan submitted a draft resolution demanding an immediate and unconditional ceasefire in the Middle East following the US strikes.
Russia’s UN Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia referenced the 2003 US case against Iraq, accusing Washington of repeating history.
“Again we’re being asked to believe the US’s fairytales — to once again inflict suffering on millions in the Middle East. This cements our conviction that history has taught our US colleagues nothing,” he said.
