MOSCOW: Iranian Overseas Minister Abbas Araghchi was on account of maintain “essential” talks with key ally Vladimir Putin on Monday (Jun 23), 48 hours after a major US attack on Iran’s key nuclear facilities.
Moscow is a vital backer of Tehran, however has not swung forcefully behind its accomplice since Israel launched a wave of assaults on Jun 13, strikes that triggered Iran to reply with missiles and drones.
Whereas Russia condemned the Israeli and US strikes, it has not provided navy assist and has downplayed its obligations beneath a sweeping strategic partnership settlement signed with Tehran simply months in the past.
“On this new harmful state of affairs … our consultations with Russia can actually be of nice significance,” Russian state media reported Araghchi as saying after touchdown in Moscow.
The official IRNA information company reported Sunday that Araghchi would “maintain consultations with the president and different senior officers of Russia concerning regional and worldwide developments following the navy aggression by the USA and the Zionist regime in opposition to Iran”.
Putin initially pitched himself as a potential mediator between Iran and Israel, however on Friday stated he was solely “suggesting concepts”, after US President Donald Trump pushed again in opposition to a task for the Kremlin chief.
“We’re certainly not looking for to behave as a mediator, we’re merely suggesting concepts,” Putin stated at an financial discussion board in Saint Petersburg.
“In the event that they become engaging to each side, we are going to solely be joyful,” he added.
Russia’s international ministry on Saturday condemned the US strikes as “irresponsible”, after having beforehand warned in opposition to navy intervention.
