Iran Grows Jittery with Allies Russia and China as Fence sitters

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Russia Condemns US and Israeli Strikes on Iran, Signals Strong Support for Tehran

By TRH News Desk

NEW DELHI, June 23, 2025 – Russian President Vladimir Putin met with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi in the Kremlin today. He denounced US and Israeli airstrikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities, saying they are “completely unprovoked aggression” lacking any foundation or justification.

Araghchi called on Putin amid reports of Iran growing miffed at Russia and China almost staying as fence sitters while the US bombed its key nuclear site. Iran per reports sought military support from Russia and China. A section of geopolitical experts also claimed that Israeli strikes in Iran are also aimed at the China-Iran rail link.

The Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) issued a statement emphasizing Moscow’s unwavering support for Iran amid escalating Middle East tensions, following Putin’s phone calls with US President Donald Trump, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and other regional leaders.

According to the MFA statement, Putin welcomed Araghchi to Moscow, highlighting the “long-standing, strong, and trustworthy” relations between Russia and Iran. “You are visiting Russia during a challenging period, marked by a significant escalation of tensions both in the region and surrounding your country,” Putin said, per Russia’s state-run TASS news agency. He reiterated Russia’s commitment to supporting the Iranian people, noting that Moscow’s position has been clearly articulated at the United Nations Security Council, where Russia’s UN ambassador Vassily Nebenzia condemned US strikes as reminiscent of “fairy tales” used to justify past Middle East interventions.

The meeting follows US airstrikes on June 22 targeting Iran’s nuclear sites at Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan, which Trump claimed had “obliterated” Iran’s nuclear program. Israel’s subsequent strikes today, reported by Iran’s Tasnim News Agency as targeting Fordow and military sites in Tehran, further intensified the conflict.

Putin’s remarks underscored Russia’s condemnation of the U.S. and Israeli actions, aligning with Iran’s narrative of self-defence. “The completely unprovoked act of aggression against Iran is without foundation or justification,” he told Araghchi, per the MFA statement.

According to NBC News, Putin offered to mediate, though Trump dismissed Moscow’s role, stating, “Iran didn’t want to speak to Europe. They want to speak to us.” Araghchi, however, emphasized the “strategic partnership” between Tehran and Moscow, telling Iran’s IRNA, “We and Russia always have common concerns and common enemies, and we always consult about coping with those common challenges.”

Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei reportedly sent Araghchi to Moscow with a letter requesting more Russian support, according to Reuters, as Tehran expressed dissatisfaction with Moscow’s limited response to date. Al Mayadeen English reported Araghchi thanking Russia for condemning the strikes, stressing the need for “closer stances” between the two nations.

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