Russian President Vladimir Putin is set to meet Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi for “important talks” in Moscow today (June 23), according to Russian Interfax agency, which cited Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov.
As per another AFP report, Araghchi left Tehran on Sunday (June 22) for his meeting with their ally, some 48 hours after the US bombed key nuclear sites in Iran.
Strategic visit? Russia a ‘crucial backer’ for Iran, condemned US-Israel strikes
The AFP report further noted that while Russia has been a “crucial backer” of Iran, but has not been forceful since Israel began attacks on June 13 and Iran responded with missiles and drones.
In official statements the Kremlin has condemned attacks by the US and Israel on Iran’s nuclear energy sites, but there has so far been no offer of military help. It has also sough to distance itself from a strategic partnership signed with Iran just some months back, the report noted.
There is thus speculation that this meeting would be significant. “In this new dangerous situation … our consultations with Russia can certainly be of great importance,” Araghchi reportedly told Russian state media after he landed in Moscow.
Putin-Araghchi meeting: What we know…
The official IRNA news agency reported Sunday that Araghchi would “hold consultations with the president and other senior officials of Russia regarding regional and international developments following the military aggression by the United States and the Zionist regime against Iran.”
Putin initially pitched himself as a possible mediator between Iran and Israel, but on Friday said he was only “suggesting ideas”, after US President Donald Trump pushed back against a role for the Kremlin leader.
“We are by no means seeking to act as a mediator, we are simply suggesting ideas,” Putin said at an economic forum in Saint Petersburg.
“If they turn out to be attractive to both sides, we will only be happy,” he added.
Russia’s foreign ministry on Saturday condemned the US strikes as “irresponsible,” after having previously warned against military intervention.
(With inputs from Agencies)