Putin Meets Araqchi, Warns US Involvement in Iran Risking ‘Major War’/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Russian President Vladimir Putin labeled US strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities as “unjustified aggression” that threatens to push the world toward a major conflict. Meeting with Iran’s foreign minister, Putin offered unspecified support for the Iranian people and emphasized Russia’s efforts to calm the crisis. Though Moscow maintains strategic ties with Tehran, it has no formal mutual defense treaty and has avoided escalating its own military involvement.
Quick Look
- Putin denounces U.S. attacks as baseless aggression and warns the strikes could draw outside powers deeper into conflict.
- Araqchi’s visit to Moscow included handing over personal greetings from Iran’s leadership and a letter requesting support.
- Russia’s crisis role is primarily diplomatic and arms trade based—no formal military support or defense commitment to Iran exists.
Putin Meets Araqchi, Warns US Involvement in Iran Risking ‘Major War’
Deep Look
Russian President Vladimir Vladimir Putin strongly criticized the U.S. airstrikes on Iranian nuclear sites as “absolutely unprovoked aggression” that lacked any legitimate justification. Speaking in the Kremlin during a meeting with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi, Putin warned that such attacks risk drawing non-regional powers into a dangerous new global conflict.
“Extra‑regional powers are also being drawn into the conflict,” he noted, warning that the world stands at a perilous threshold.
Araqchi, visiting Moscow bearing greetings from Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and President Ebrahim Raisi, reportedly delivered a letter seeking greater Russian aid. Putin pledged support but offered no specifics on military or political backing, stating vaguely:
“For our part, we are making efforts to assist the Iranian people.”
Despite a new strategic partnership and arms agreements, Russia has not formed a defense pact with Iran. It has conveyed to Tehran that it does not support nuclear weapons development in Iran—citing concerns about destabilizing a Middle East arms race. Iranian sources, however, express frustration, saying Russia and China have not provided the support Tehran anticipated.
Putin has historically affirmed support for Iran-backed ally Bashar al‑Assad in Syria since 2015, yet avoided deeper military entanglement even during critical junctures—indicating Moscow’s reluctance for large-scale confrontation vis-à-vis the U.S.
On the diplomatic stage, Russia, China, and Pakistan jointly proposed a UN Security Council resolution calling for an immediate ceasefire in the Middle East following the U.S. strikes. Russia’s UN Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia invoked America’s 2003 justification for invading Iraq under false pretenses, warning that history was repeating itself.
Putin’s stance is shaped by a balance: supporting Iran diplomatically and via weaponry, yet stopping short of a binding security commitment. The Kremlin’s actions reflect a strategic caution — avoiding confrontation with the U.S. while criticizing American military intervention. Yet Iran remains dissatisfied, urging Moscow to go further. As global tensions rise, Russia’s next moves will be closely watched amid a fraught international crisis.
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