Moscow, Jun 23 (PTI) Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday assured Tehran of Mocow's support in de-escalating the Israel-Iran conflict hours after the US strikes at Iranian nuclear sites at dawn on Sunday.

Putin met Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, who came to Moscow on Sunday night for consultations with the Russian leadership and was expected to deliver a letter from Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

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Stating that Araghchi is visiting Russia at a dramatic moment of sharp aggravation of the situation “in the region and around your country,” Putin, in his opening remarks at the televised Kremlin meet, reiterated Moscow's position on Iran-Israel conflict as was articulated by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Russia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs strongly condemned the American strikes and Tehran is aware of Moscow's stance in the Security Council and the United Nations.

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“This is an absolutely unprovoked aggression against Iran, has no basis or justification,” Putin qualified US strikes at Iran's key nuclear sites ordered by President Donald Trump.

“We have long-standing, good, and reliable relations with Iran. On our part, we are making efforts to help the Iranian people,” Putin told Araghchi.

Moscow and Tehran have signed a strategic partnership treaty, but it does not provide for military assistance in case any side is attacked. However, Tehran and Moscow under the treaty have an obligation not to take the side of the aggressor and enter into urgent political consultations to mitigate the situation.

When asked what support and help Russia can offer to Iran, the Kremlin spokesman Demitry Peskov said Moscow can offer various forms of support to Iran amid the escalation in the Middle East, but it is up to Tehran to articulate what help it wants.

“It all depends on what Iran needs. We have offered our mediation efforts. This is concrete. We have stated our position, which is also a very important form of support for the Iranian side. Going forward, everything will depend on what Iran needs at this moment,” Peskov told a news briefing.

Responding to a question whether Trump notified Putin in advance about US intentions to strike Iran, he said: “There was no detailed information.”

“The Iranian issue itself was repeatedly discussed by the presidents during their recent conversations. Russia voiced certain proposals, but there was no direct detailed information about this,” Peskov said.

(The above story is verified and authored by Press Trust of India (PTI) staff. PTI, India’s premier news agency, employs more than 400 journalists and 500 stringers to cover almost every district and small town in India.. The views appearing in the above post do not reflect the opinions of LatestLY)