Putin tells Iranian foreign minister there was no justification for US attack
Russia's President Vladimir Putin (right) shakes hands with Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi during a meeting in Moscow. PHOTO: REUTERS
Putin tells Iranian foreign minister there was no justification for US attack
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MOSCOW - Russian President Vladimir Putin told Iran's foreign minister on June 23 there was no justification for the US bombing of his country and that Moscow was trying to help the Iranian people.
Mr Putin hosted Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi in Moscow two days after US President Donald Trump sent US bomber planes to strike Iran's three main nuclear sites.
"The absolutely unprovoked aggression against Iran has no basis and no justification," Mr Putin told Mr Araqchi in televised comments.
"For our part, we are making efforts to assist the Iranian people," he added.
"I am very glad that you are in Moscow today, 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."
Mr Araqchi told Mr Putin that Iran was conducting legitimate self-defence, and thanked Russia for condemning the US actions.
He conveyed best wishes to Mr Putin from Iran's supreme leader and president.
"Russia is today on the right side of history and international law," said Mr Araqchi.
It was unclear, however, what Russia might do to support Iran, an important ally with which Mr Putin signed a strategic cooperation treaty in January.
That agreement did not include a mutual defence clause.
Before June 21's US strikes, Moscow had warned that US military intervention could destabilise the entire region and plunge it into the "abyss".
Asked what Russia was ready to do to help Tehran, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said: "It all depends on what Iran needs".
He said the fact that Moscow had offered to mediate in the crisis was itself a form of support.
Mr Peskov condemned the US attacks.
"An increase in the number of participants in this conflict is happening - or rather, has happened. A new spiral of escalation of tension in the region," Mr Peskov told reporters.
"And, of course, we condemn this and express regret in this regard, deep regret. In addition, of course, it remains to be seen what happened to (Iran's) nuclear facilities, whether there is a radiation hazard."
Mr Peskov said Mr Trump had not told Mr Putin in detail about the planned strikes in advance.
"There was no detailed information. The topic of Iran itself was repeatedly discussed by the presidents during their most recent conversations, certain proposals were voiced by Russia, but there was no direct detailed information about this," he said. REUTERS
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