Speaking to reporters in Istanbul, Araghchi called Russia a “strategic partner” and said the two countries would “review every defensive option.” “The United States has shown it respects neither international law nor diplomacy; it understands only the language of force,” he declared.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov confirmed Monday’s meeting but said Putin had no plans to speak with U.S. President Donald Trump. Moscow, he added, rejects any bid to topple Iran’s leadership, warning that killing Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei would “open a Pandora’s box” of extremism.
The Pentagon said state-of-the-art stealth B-2 bombers hit sites at Natanz, Fordow and Isfahan to degrade Iran’s weapons potential, siding openly with Israel after months of Israeli lobbying. Israel carried out unilateral strikes on Iranian facilities earlier this month.
Araghchi said Tehran could not return to nuclear diplomacy while under attack from both Israel and the United States, and “reserves every right to defend itself.”
Russia, a close ally, has taken delivery of Iranian drones for use in Ukraine, and has helped Tehran’s civilian nuclear program even while maintaining cordial ties with Israel.
The raids mark the first direct U.S. strikes on Iran’s nuclear infrastructure and risk igniting a wider Middle-East war.
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Source: Polskie Radio 24, The Kyiv Independent, Politico