Moscow: Russian President Vladimir Putin has denounced the recent U.S. airstrikes on Iranian nuclear facilities, calling them a blatant act of aggression without legal or moral justification. Speaking during a high-level meeting in Moscow with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi, Putin said the attack risked dragging the entire Middle East and potentially the world into deeper instability.
The remarks came just days after the U.S. launched a coordinated strike on several Iranian nuclear sites, including the highly sensitive Fordow facility. While the Biden administration defended the operation as a “preventive measure” in response to Iranian ballistic activity and refusal to return to nuclear talks, the Kremlin issued a stern rebuke. “There was absolutely no justification for this act of aggression,” Putin told Araqchi, echoing Russia's longstanding opposition to military interventions not sanctioned by international law.
The meeting also carried strong symbolic value. Araqchi, delivering personal messages from Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei and President Ebrahim Raisi, praised Moscow for standing “on the right side of history.” He also reiterated Iran’s call for global condemnation of the U.S. strike and warned of potential retaliatory steps unless international pressure mounts to halt Western interventions.
While Russia offered moral and diplomatic support to Tehran, its commitment to more concrete forms of assistance remains ambiguous. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov later clarified that although Russia is “prepared to support the Iranian people,” it had not promised direct military assistance. Notably, the bilateral treaty between Russia and Iran does not contain any mutual-defense clause, limiting Moscow’s obligations in a conflict scenario.
Putin’s broader message extended beyond the immediate crisis. He warned that increasing involvement by “extra-regional powers” a veiled reference to the U.S. and its allies was escalating tensions and pushing the world toward a “very dangerous point.” The Russian leader highlighted the potential environmental fallout as well, expressing concern over possible radiation leaks from the targeted Iranian nuclear sites.
Despite growing pressure from Tehran for more tangible support particularly in the form of missile defense systems, military technology, and satellite intelligence Russia has so far opted for restraint. Analysts suggest that Moscow is being cautious due to its continued military engagement in Ukraine, which limits its bandwidth for new strategic entanglements.
In the meantime, Moscow has offered to act as a mediator and called for a return to dialogue and diplomacy. “We are ready to assist in reducing tensions,” Peskov said, signaling that Russia would prefer a political solution over military escalation.
This latest development adds yet another layer to the volatile geopolitical puzzle of the Middle East, where shifting alliances, proxy conflicts, and nuclear concerns continue to draw global powers into an ever-deepening web of confrontation. As Iran evaluates its next move and the U.S. maintains its position, all eyes are now on whether Russia’s rhetorical support will translate into meaningful strategic action or remain a gesture of solidarity from a distance.