Vladimir Putin offered his first public remarks about the US strikes on longtime Russian ally Iran on Monday—and he's not happy about them. But how that might translate into help for Tehran remained unclear.
- "The absolutely unprovoked aggression against Iran has no basis and no justification," Putin said in televised comments during a meeting with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi in Moscow, reports Reuters.
- "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," said Putin, adding that Russia is "making efforts to assist the Iranian people."
Araghchi reportedly carried a letter from Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei directly asking Putin for support, but a New York Times analysis suggests Iran shouldn't get its hopes up. "There was little sign that Russia was prepared to provide military assistance to Iran, its closest remaining Middle East ally, as it prioritized its own war against Ukraine," wrote Anatoly Kurmanaev ahead of the meeting. In addition to being strapped by its own war, Russia also is trying to remain on friendly terms with Iranian rivals including Saudi Arabia.
Iran has helped Russia in its war with Ukraine, and Araghchi "may now ask Moscow to return the favor," wrote economist Holger Schmieding of Berenberg Bank in a note to investors, per CNBC. "However, Putin has probably little to offer beyond some words." (More US strikes Iran stories.)
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