Russian President Vladimir Putin condemned the recent US military strikes on Iran's nuclear facilities as "unprovoked aggression", asserting that there was “absolutely no justification” for the attack. He made the remarks during a meeting in Moscow with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi on Monday, just two days after the operation authorized by President Donald Trump.

Putin stated that Russia was actively seeking to support the Iranian people during this period of heightened tensions. “I am very glad that you are in Moscow today,” he said in televised remarks. “This will give us the opportunity to discuss all these pressing issues and think together about how we could get out of today’s situation.”

Araghchi expressed gratitude for Moscow’s strong condemnation of the US strikes and conveyed messages from Iran’s Leader and president. “Russia is today on the right side of history and international law,” Araghchi said, emphasizing that Iran’s actions were taken in legitimate self-defense.

While details of Russia’s support were not fully disclosed, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov noted that Moscow had already offered to mediate. “It all depends on what Iran needs,” he said. “A new spiral of escalation of tension in the region has happened. And of course, we condemn this and express deep regret.”

Peskov also confirmed that President Trump did not inform Putin in advance of the military operation. “There was no detailed information,” he said. “The topic of Iran itself was repeatedly discussed by the presidents during their most recent conversations... but there was no direct detailed information about this.”

Growing alignment in the face of mounting Western pressure

Although Iran and Russia signed a strategic cooperation treaty in January, the agreement does not include a mutual defense clause. Nevertheless, Monday’s high-level meeting highlighted the growing alignment between the two countries in the face of mounting Western pressure.

The Kremlin has warned that continued US aggression in the Middle East risks plunging the region into "the abyss".

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi arrived in Moscow on Monday to hold discussions with Russian officials, aiming to bolster bilateral efforts in response to growing regional tensions. 

Araghchi arrives in Moscow

Speaking to reporters upon arrival, Araghchi stressed the importance of "more careful, more serious, and closer stances" between Tehran and Moscow. He emphasized that Iran and Russia have maintained a tradition of close cooperation and that under current conditions, "the consultations between Iran and Russia will be highly significant." Araqchi also expressed gratitude to Moscow for its strong condemnation of the US strikes.

The top Iranian diplomat noted that while the visit had originally been scheduled to address Israeli aggression, the scope had widened due to the United States’ attack on Iran. He stated, "Iran and Russia share common concerns and common enemies," adding that both countries remain committed to facing regional threats together.

This comes shortly after Russia, China, and Pakistan submitted a draft resolution to the UN Security Council demanding an immediate ceasefire in the Middle East, as US escalation against Iran and strikes on nuclear facilities raise global alarm.

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It is worth noting that Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi arrived in Moscow on Sunday to advance high-level discussions with the Russian leadership.

"We confirm the arrival of the Iranian Foreign Minister in Moscow for a series of talks," stated Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova.

Iran should determine own strategy for developing nuclear energy

In a Telegram post, Zakharova stressed that "Russia and China believe that Iran, like any other country, can and should determine its own strategy for developing nuclear energy in accordance with international law, in particular the NPT [Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons], and that other nations can also base their attitude to this on an international legal basis." 

The timing of the visit could not be more critical. Just hours earlier, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) confirmed that US strikes had caused structural damage to peaceful nuclear facilities in Isfahan, Fordow, and Natanz, sites long under IAEA supervision and compliant with NPT protocols. While no radiation leaks were reported, the attack represented a severe breach of international norms. 

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres condemned the strikes as a "perilous turn" and urged restraint, while China's Ambassador to the UN, Fu Cong, openly questioned the credibility of the United States as a diplomatic actor. "Iran is harmed, but also US credibility is harmed as a country and as a party to any international negotiation," Fu said at a Security Council briefing.

Russia's role as a diplomatic stabilizer has become increasingly evident. Beyond condemnation of the strikes, Moscow has offered concrete proposals to facilitate renewed nuclear dialogue, including a plan to store Iran's enriched uranium on Russian territory, a move Tehran welcomed as a sign of genuine partnership. Yet efforts to prevent further regional bloodshed have been obstructed by Israeli intransigence; on Tuesday, the Kremlin revealed that "Israel" has outright rejected mediation, even as its war on Iran enters a fifth day of what Moscow rightly termed a "galloping escalation."

Read more: Iran warns of NPT withdrawal, Strait of Hormuz closure after US attack

Despite IAEA verification of Iran's compliance and peaceful intentions, Washington continues to circulate alarmist narratives to justify sanctions and military action. Former UN weapons inspector Scott Ritter dismissed the strikes as "a grand act of theater," asserting that "nothing of significance was accomplished" except exposing the US administration's desperation.

Within Iran, the strikes have galvanized calls for assertive responses. Foreign Minister Araghchi warned that the United States and "Israel" had crossed a "very big red line" and would be met with consequences "by all means necessary." Meanwhile, Iran's Shura Council has proposed the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a move that would recalibrate the global energy market and assert Tehran's leverage over regional security.

Baghaei: Iran will resist US and Israeli aggression with full force

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei echoed these sentiments, denouncing both the US and Israeli aggression. During his Monday press briefing, he described the strikes on nuclear sites in Natanz, Fordow, and Isfahan as an "act of blatant aggression."

"Today marks the 11th day of Iranian resistance against Zionist attacks and the second day of resistance against American aggression targeting the peaceful facilities of Natanz, Fordow, and Isfahan," Baghaei said.

He argued that no international justification exists for the attacks, which he stressed were executed with full US coordination. Baghaei also warned, "The evils of the Zionist regime will not be confined to the region but will eventually reach Europe, history will prove this."

Iranian Parliament targets IAEA over 'unprofessional conduct'

In a related development, Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf announced that lawmakers are preparing legislation to suspend cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). The move is a response to what he described as the agency’s failure to maintain neutrality.

Addressing Parliament, Qalibaf emphasized Iran’s peaceful nuclear intentions, citing a religious fatwa that prohibits nuclear weapons. "Iran has no plans for non-peaceful activities," he said. "But the world has witnessed that the IAEA has not upheld its commitments and has instead become a political tool."

Qalibaf characterized the US strikes as a direct military intervention in the aftermath of what he called "Israel’s strategic failure." He warned, "We will definitely give a response that would make gambler Trump regret taking the act of aggression against our dear country."

This comes as Iranian officials have reiterated that Tehran reserves the right to respond to the attacks on its terms. The joint US-Israeli strikes, which targeted nuclear facilities in Natanz, Fordow, and Isfahan early Sunday, have intensified calls within Iran for a strategic and coordinated reply, both diplomatically and militarily.