President Vladimir Putin met with Iranian foreign minister Abbas Araghchi, showing support for Iran amidst the ongoing conflict with Israel while maintaining a cautious stance that stops short of condemning the U.S. or Israel directly. Putin's comments highlight Russia's role as a potential mediator in the conflict without escalating military tensions.
Putin Avoids Direct Condemnation of U.S.-Israel Strikes on Iran, Shows Support Amid Tensions
Putin Avoids Direct Condemnation of U.S.-Israel Strikes on Iran, Shows Support Amid Tensions
In a recent meeting with Iran's foreign minister, President Putin condemned the aggression against Iran but stopped short of critiquing Israel or the U.S., reflecting Russia's cautious diplomatic balancing act.
In a significant diplomatic engagement, President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia welcomed Iran's foreign minister, Abbas Araghchi, to Moscow on June 23, 2025, amid escalating military actions between Israel and Iran. This meeting marks the first public interaction between high-ranking officials of the two nations since Israel's military campaign against Iran commenced on June 13. With Israel conducting attacks on Iranian air defenses and nuclear facilities, Iran has retaliated with missile strikes targeting Israel, resulting in heightened tensions.
During their discussions, President Putin expressed that he deemed the Israeli strikes as "absolutely unprovoked aggression against Iran," labeling them as "unfounded and unjustified." While offering support to the Iranian populace, he refrained from directly accusing the United States or Israel for their military actions against Iran. This careful approach indicates Russia's desire to maintain a complex diplomatic balance amidst the ongoing strife while not further complicating its own relations with Western powers.
Putin informed Araghchi that he had engaged in discussions regarding the Israel-Iran conflict with both President Trump and leaders from various Middle Eastern countries, including those of Israel and the United Arab Emirates. In a bid to position Russia as a potential mediator for peace negotiations, discussions were framed within the context of possible diplomatic intervention.
Kremlin spokesperson, Dmitri S. Peskov, echoed this sentiment by indicating Russia's support for Iran while being mindful not to disrupt its ongoing military commitments in Ukraine or antagonize the Trump administration. Responding to questions concerning assistance to bolster Iranian air defenses, Peskov indicated that Russia would assess Iran's needs moving forward.
Despite Russia's more tempered stance, Iranian officials like Araghchi have openly denounced the aggressive actions of both the U.S. and Israel, suggesting that there are divergent levels of urgency and aggression in rhetoric from the involved parties. Such political maneuvers suggest an intricate dynamic where diplomatic relations, conflict involvement, and regional alliances continuously intertwine in an increasingly volatile landscape.
