Putin Slams Iran Strikes as ‘Unprovoked Aggression’

(MENAFN) Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday sharply criticized recent military actions targeting Iran, calling them “unprovoked aggression” and lacking any legitimate grounds.

"The absolutely unprovoked aggression against Iran has no basis and no justification," Putin declared during a meeting with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi in Moscow.

Tensions have been mounting since June 13, when Israel launched sudden air raids on multiple locations within Iran, including military and nuclear installations. In response, Tehran carried out counterattacks, escalating the conflict further.

Adding to the crisis, U.S. forces struck three Iranian nuclear sites early Sunday. President Donald Trump claimed the bombings inflicted heavy damage and resulted in “obliteration.”

During the Moscow meeting, Putin reaffirmed the close ties between Russia and Iran, referring to them as “long-standing, good, reliable” relations. He also noted that Moscow’s stance on the matter is well established.

"For our part, we are making efforts to provide assistance to the Iranian people," Putin stated, requesting that Araghchi pass along his personal regards to Iranian Foreign Minister Masoud Pezeshkian and Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

"I am very glad that you are in Moscow today. This will give us the opportunity to discuss all these sensitive issues and think together about how we can get out of today's situation," he added.

Araghchi, in turn, attributed the region’s deteriorating security to the military interventions led by Washington and Tel Aviv, particularly the strikes on Iran’s nuclear infrastructure.

"Our relations are very close and kind. In recent years, they have become strategic," Araghchi said, praising Russia for opposing what he labeled as hostile actions. He emphasized that Moscow is on the “right side of history and international law.”

He also expressed gratitude for Russia’s condemnation of the "aggressive actions by Israel and the United States."

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