Russian President Vladimir Putin has told Iran's top diplomat there was no justification for the U.S. bombing of Iran and that Moscow was trying to help the Iranian people.  Putin hosted Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi in Moscow yesterday, just one day after U.S. President Donald Trump sent U.S. bomber planes to strike Iran's three main nuclear sites.

Meduza reports that during the meeting, Putin condemned recent strikes on Iranian territory, calling them "absolutely unprovoked aggression" that lacks "any justification or basis."  He reportedly emphasized the long-standing and trustworthy relationship between Russia and Iran, reaffirming Moscow’s intention to support the Iranian people.

Iran requests stronger support

For his part, Araghchi reportedly denounced the actions of the United States and Israel as "aggressive" and "illegitimate", stating that they violate international law.  “We are defending our sovereignty, and that defense is fully legitimate,” he said.

Meduza reports that according to Reuters, Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei dispatched Araghchi to Moscow with a personal letter to President Putin, requesting increased Russian support.  The contents of the letter have not been publicly disclosed, but sources in Tehran reportedly view Russia’s current level of assistance as insufficient and are seeking stronger engagement.

Meanwhile, The Times of Israel says Russian President Vladimir Putin yesterday slammed attacks on Iran as “unprovoked” and “unjustified” in a meeting with Tehran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, but did not announce any concrete support for his key ally in the Middle East.

Context: US strikes and ongoing escalation

The diplomatic visit came just one day after U.S. airstrikes targeted Iranian nuclear facilities in Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan, according to media reports. The airstrikes marked a dramatic escalation in the ongoing confrontation between Iran and Israel, which has seen a series of mutual attacks since June 13.

With tensions escalating and casualties mounting, Tehran appears increasingly reliant on Moscow’s backing in both the diplomatic and security arenas, according to Meduza.