Putin meets with Iranian foreign minister, calls strikes on Iran ‘completely unprovoked aggression’

Russian President Vladimir Putin met with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, the Kremlin press service reported on Monday.

During the meeting, Putin denounced the recent strikes on Iran, calling them an act of “completely unprovoked” aggression. “There is absolutely no basis or justification for this completely unprovoked aggression against Iran,” he said.

Putin also emphasized what he described as Moscow and Tehran’s “long-standing, friendly, and reliable” relationship, adding that Russia is working “to support the Iranian people.”

Araghchi, for his part, called the actions by the United States and Israel “completely illegitimate” and a violation of international law. “We are now defending our sovereignty and our country, and our defense is entirely legitimate,” he said.

Araghchi arrived in Moscow a day after the U.S. carried out airstrikes on Iranian nuclear facilities. In the early hours of June 22, the U.S. targeted three sites linked to Iran’s nuclear program: Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan. Iran and Israel have been exchanging heavy strikes since June 13.