Araghchi says Iran welcomes Russia’s diplomatic support after Putin meeting

ST PETERSBURG: Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said on Tuesday that Tehran welcomes Russia’s support for diplomacy and values its strategic ties with Moscow, following talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin in St Petersburg.

Araghchi said recent developments had underscored the depth of Iran-Russia relations, describing Moscow as a key partner during a “difficult period” for the Islamic Republic.

“It has also been proven to all that Iran has friends and allies, such as the Russian Federation, who stand by Iran precisely in difficult times,” Araghchi said, according to Iranian media.

His remarks came a day after meeting Putin, who expressed support for Iran and said Moscow would do everything it could to help ensure peace in the region.

“We see how courageously and heroically the Iranian people are fighting for their independence and sovereignty,” Putin said, adding he hoped Iran could overcome what he described as a “difficult period” and that peace would prevail.

Putin also said Russia was ready to continue efforts to help restore calm in the Middle East following US and Israeli strikes on Iran, which Moscow has strongly condemned.

Russia has repeatedly offered to mediate between Tehran and Washington and has proposed storing Iran’s enriched uranium as a way of easing tensions — a proposal rejected by the United States.

Araghchi, who said he had briefed Putin on regional developments, thanked Moscow for its political backing.

“Recent events have demonstrated the strength of our strategic partnership,” he said.

Putin, according to the Kremlin, also reiterated Russia’s intention to deepen its 20-year strategic partnership with Iran, signed last year. The Russian leader said he had received a message from Iran’s Supreme Leader last week and asked Araghchi to convey Moscow’s commitment to continue strengthening ties.

Russia is currently building two new nuclear reactors at Iran’s Bushehr power plant and has deepened defence cooperation with Tehran, including the supply of Shahed drones for use in Ukraine, whose production Russia has since localised.

Meanwhile, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Moscow supported continued US-Iran dialogue and warned against any return to military confrontation, calling it contrary to the interests of all sides.

Separately, sources from mediator Pakistan said efforts to bridge gaps between Washington and Tehran were continuing and had not stalled despite heightened regional tensions.