Putin Condemns U.S. Strikes on Iran as “Unjustified,” Signals Support for Tehran

In a high-stakes diplomatic meeting on June 23, 2025, Russian President Vladimir Putin met with Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi in Moscow and publicly denounced the recent U.S. airstrikes on Iranian nuclear facilities as “unjustified and reckless.” Putin warned that such military actions are pushing the region toward a dangerous and unpredictable confrontation.

The meeting comes just days after the U.S. launched precision strikes on key Iranian nuclear sites, an action that has drawn sharp criticism from several global powers. During the televised session, Putin declared the U.S. offensive to be “a blatant violation of international norms”, describing it as an act of “unprovoked aggression.”

🇷🇺 Russia-Iran Strategic Alignment

Iran’s foreign minister hand-delivered a message from Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, seeking deeper Russian support in response to what Tehran calls a serious escalation. While Putin expressed “full solidarity” with the Iranian people, he stopped short of offering military backing.

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov clarified that Russia’s support would be “based on Iran’s specific requests,” focusing primarily on diplomatic, humanitarian, and strategic cooperation. Moscow also reiterated its long-standing position supporting Iran’s right to peaceful nuclear energy, highlighting past collaboration on the Bushehr nuclear reactor.

🛑 No Military Commitments — Yet

Although Russia and Iran signed a 20-year cooperation treaty in 2021, it does not include a mutual defense clause, limiting Moscow’s obligations. Analysts point out that Russia remains deeply entangled in its conflict with Ukraine and is unlikely to open a second front in the Middle East.

For now, Russia’s assistance appears to be political and diplomatic. Putin offered to mediate in any future talks, calling on all parties to avoid further escalation. “We are committed to regional stability,” he said, “and believe the path forward must be diplomatic, not destructive.”

🌍 Global Implications

Putin’s remarks reflect growing concern in Moscow about U.S. actions in the Gulf region. By siding with Tehran on the world stage, Russia is reinforcing its role as a counterweight to Western influence, while simultaneously avoiding direct military involvement that could provoke confrontation with the U.S.

Iran, meanwhile, continues to frame the U.S. strikes as part of a broader campaign to undermine its sovereignty. With few global allies offering concrete support, Tehran appears to be leveraging its strategic alliance with Russia for international legitimacy and protection.