Putin Hosts Iran’s Foreign Minister in Kremlin as Tensions with Israel and U.S. Escalate

In a pointed show of support for Tehran amid escalating conflict, Russian President Vladimir Putin welcomed Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi to the Kremlin on Monday — just as Israeli strikes on Iran continued and U.S.-Iran tensions deepened.

The visit, which took place in one of the Kremlin’s grand reception rooms, was more than symbolic. It was Putin’s strongest public endorsement of Iran since the recent wave of attacks began. Flanked by Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and senior aide Yury Ushakov, Putin made it clear that Russia stands firmly with Iran.

“This act of aggression against Iran has no grounds and no justification,” Putin told the Iranian delegation. “We have long-standing, friendly and reliable relations with Iran, and we, for our part, are making efforts to support the Iranian people.”

He also accused the United States of being provoked by Israel into launching strikes, echoing Iran’s own claims and reinforcing Moscow’s opposition to Western military intervention.

Putin Reaches Out to World Leaders, But Timeline Unclear

Putin said he had held recent phone conversations with U.S. President Donald Trump, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, UAE President Mohammed Al Nahyan, and Iran’s newly elected President Masoud Pezeshkian.

However, no dates or details were provided about these calls. Notably, the Kremlin had just said a day earlier that no phone calls were planned between Putin and Trump following the U.S. attacks — casting some doubt on the timing or nature of those communications.

Iran Thanks Russia for Support Amid Crisis

In response, Araghchi thanked Putin for his solidarity and praised the growing ties between Moscow and Tehran.

“Russia is on the right side of history,” Araghchi said. “Our relationship has grown even closer in recent years.”

That bond has only deepened since Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022 — a war that Iran has supported both diplomatically and militarily. According to U.S. officials, Iran has supplied Russia with thousands of Shahed drones and short-range ballistic missiles, and even helped construct a drone factory inside Russia.

Russia and Iran: A Strategic Alliance

Beyond the battlefield, the two nations also maintain close cooperation on nuclear development.

Araghchi highlighted Russia’s longstanding role in Iran’s nuclear program, including its involvement in the ongoing talks and its operational support at the Bushehr nuclear power plant in southern Iran — the country’s only civilian nuclear facility.

Putin noted that roughly 200 Russian experts are currently stationed at the site. Interestingly, he also thanked Israel for agreeing to “ensure” their safety amid the ongoing military action — a rare diplomatic nod in a region where alliances are often anything but stable.

Moscow and Tehran Present United Front

Monday’s meeting sent a clear message: Russia and Iran remain united as pressure from the U.S. and Israel intensifies. For Putin, it’s a chance to assert Moscow’s influence in the Middle East. For Iran, it’s a lifeline as it faces attacks and international scrutiny.

And for the rest of the world, it’s yet another sign that old alliances are shifting — and new ones are taking shape in the shadow of war.