Putin slams 'unprovoked' attack on Iran as he meets Tehran envoy

Henry Meyer, Bloomberg News on Jun 23, 2025

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Russian President Vladimir Putin denounced “absolutely unprovoked aggression” against Iran, as he met a top official from Tehran the day after the U.S. strike on Iranian nuclear facilities.

Putin described the attack as “totally unfounded and unjustified” as he met Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi in the Kremlin on Monday. The Russian leader added that he wanted to discuss with the Iranian envoy “how to get out of today’s situation.”

Iran has warned there would be consequences for U.S. strikes on its key nuclear sites and said it “reserves all options,” while showing restraint in its initial response. The bombing came after Israel launched its own attacks on Iran on June 13.

Putin also held a separate phone call with Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani to discuss growing tensions in the Middle East. The two leaders expressed concern about risks to global energy markets and stressed the importance of continuing cooperation within the OPEC+ alliance.

Russia, a key ally of Iran, has remained on the sidelines amid the widening conflict with few levers of influence. While Putin made an offer to President Donald Trump to mediate, the U.S. leader pressed ahead with military action against the Islamic Republic over the weekend.