Putin slams attack on Tehran

MOSCOW:

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday slammed attacks on Iran as "unprovoked" and "unjustified" in a meeting with Tehran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, but did not announce any concrete support to his key ally in the Middle East.

Moscow is a crucial backer of Iran, but has not swung forcefully behind its partner even as the United States launched strikes on its nuclear facilities over the weekend.

"This absolutely unprovoked aggression against Iran is unjustified," Putin said in televised remarks to Araghchi at the start of their meeting.

The Kremlin's spokesman Dmitry Peskov downplayed the exchange after the talks by saying "they were unlikely to be effective" during such a "heated moment".

Araghchi later said the meeting was "very good" and that Russia's stance on the issue remained "firm", noting its role in the UN Security Council. He did not provide further details on the talks with the Russian leader.

Russia's Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov said revealing details of the Putin-Araghchi meeting would have been "irresponsible" and that Russia and Iran were working on "many directions" when asked if Tehran requested military aid from Russia.

Since Israel launched its wave of strikes on June 13, triggering Iran to respond with missiles and drones, Russia has not publicly offered military help to Tehran.

Russia was "making efforts to help the Iranian people", Putin said in the meeting, without elaborating.

Asked what specific support Russia might offer, Peskov told reporters: "It all depends on what Iran needs. We have offered our mediation services."

Putin has pitched himself as a mediator between Iran and Israel, an idea rejected by US President Donald Trump last week.

Peskov also said the strikes on Iran would not affect bilateral relations between Moscow and Washington -- with the Kremlin seeking a rapprochement with the United States since Donald Trump returned to power -- saying they were "different issues".