Reuters:
Vladimir Putin held talks with Abbas Araghchi in Saint Petersburg on Monday, reaffirming Moscow’s support for Tehran and expressing hope that stability would soon return to the Middle East.
During the meeting, President Putin said he had received a message from Ali Khamenei, conveying appreciation and emphasizing Russia’s intention to maintain and strengthen its strategic partnership with Iran.
“For our part, we will do everything that serves your interests and the interests of all the peoples of the region to ensure that peace is achieved as quickly as possible,” Putin said, according to Russian state media.
The talks come at a time of heightened tensions following recent US and Israeli strikes on Iran—actions that Moscow has strongly condemned. Russia has also offered to mediate in an effort to restore calm in the region and has proposed storing Iran’s enriched uranium as a confidence-building measure, though the United States has yet to accept the offer.
Putin expressed confidence that the Iranian people would overcome what he described as a “difficult period,” while reiterating Russia’s commitment to regional peace and stability.
The meeting also highlighted deepening cooperation between the two countries. Iran and Russia signed a 20-year strategic partnership agreement last year, and Moscow is currently constructing two additional nuclear power units at the Bushehr Nuclear Power Plant—the country’s only operational nuclear facility.
Iran has also supplied Russia with Shahe
