Top Iranian diplomat awaits ‘critical’ discussions with Putin

(MENAFN) Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has announced plans for what he called a “crucial” meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin during his upcoming visit to Moscow. The talks come in the wake of US airstrikes targeting Iranian nuclear facilities over the weekend, which Washington described as “precision strikes” on sites in Fordow, Natanz, and Esfahan in support of Israel’s recent military actions.

Upon his arrival in Moscow early Monday, Araghchi told reporters that the escalating tensions in the region require urgent coordination between Tehran and Moscow. “Given the exceptional circumstances, it is imperative for Iran and Russia to hold deeper, more detailed, and more serious discussions,” he stated. Araghchi expressed confidence that his talks with Putin would serve the interests of both nations.

The Kremlin has not officially confirmed any meeting between Putin and Araghchi. However, President Putin has consistently defended Iran’s right to pursue peaceful nuclear energy. During last week’s St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF), he reiterated that resolving the crisis requires mutual security guarantees, ensuring both Iran’s right to peaceful nuclear development and Israel’s security concerns.

Araghchi described Russia as a strategic partner and highlighted the ongoing close coordination between the two countries on regional matters. He also revealed that Tehran kept Moscow fully informed during its recent nuclear negotiations with the United States.

Russia has strongly condemned the US strikes on Iranian nuclear sites, labeling them a clear breach of international law. The Russian Foreign Ministry called the attacks “reckless” and a blatant violation of the UN Charter and relevant Security Council resolutions. Moscow warned that such actions by a permanent Security Council member increased the risk of a wider Middle East conflict and could have triggered a nuclear disaster.

The strikes followed Israel’s June 13 attack on Iran, citing claims that Tehran was close to acquiring nuclear weapons – an accusation Iran has denied. Tehran retaliated with its own strikes. The international community has broadly criticized the attacks as violations of international law. International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director General Rafael Grossi recently warned that the strikes had caused “serious degradation” of nuclear safety and security in the region.

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