Putin backs Iran as Kremlin blasts US for 'groundless, unprovoked aggression' against nuclear facilities
23 June 2025, 12:13 | Updated: 23 June 2025, 14:40
Vladimir Putin has backed Iran in the face of US airstrikes, as the Kremlin condemned the attacks as 'groundless, unprovoked aggression'.
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Speaking ahead of the NATO summit, the alliance's chief Mark Rutte addressed the situation in Iran - stating that NATO allies have long agreed that Iran must not develop a nuclear weapon.
He said: "Allies have repeatedly urged Iran to meet its obligations under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT)."
The NATO chief continued that the alliance's new defence investment plan will be 5% of GDP - ensuring security and defence.
"As leaders begin to gather for the summit here this is our focus - ensuring we have all we need to deter and defend against any threat," he added.
Mr Rutte said the most "significant threat" facing the defence alliance is Russia.
Iran's foreign minister visited Moscow on Monday in the wake of Saturday's US aerial bombardment, which saw three key nuclear facilities used to enrich uranium targeted in a series of strikes.
Putin was seen to condemn the "groundless" attack, as he met with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi as Iran searched for allied support.
Branding the strikes "unjustified", Putin said Russia was "making efforts to provide assistance to the Iranian people."
It comes as Russia hit out at the US, warning that Donald Trump had opened "Pandora's box" following the 'bunker buster' strikes at the nuclear facilities.
Arriving in Moscow, Iran's foreign minister handed a letter penned by Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei directly to Vladimir Putin.
Read more: Iran threatened to 'trigger sleeper terror cells inside US' if attacked days before Trump airstrike
Thanking Putin for condemning the strikes on his country, Araqchi told Putin that his country remained on "the right side of history".
Speaking to the UN Security Council on Sunday, Moscow's ambassador, Vassily Nebenzia, warned: "No one knows what new catastrophes and suffering it will bring."
It follows comments over the weekend by Trump, who insisted the attack by US stealth bombers had "taken the bomb right out of [Tehran's] hands".
The bombings are set Iran faces increasing isolation, with traditional Middle Eastern backers failing to come out in support of the nation following the extensive airstrikes.
Fears continue to grow over Iran's control of the Strait of Hormuz - a key international shipping route - amid suggestions it could be closed to shipments in retaliation following the airstrikes.
Should the major shipping route be closed, oil prices could surge to more than $100 a barrel, analysts have warned.
Hours earlier State TV anchor Mehdi Khanalizadeh accused Trump of choosing to "spill the blood of your soldiers".
He went on to add that "the US president in the Oval Office chose to take delivery of the coffins of up to 50,000 US soldiers in Washington."
Speaking on Sunday, Starmer said Tehran can never be allowed to develop a nuclear weapon following the US bombing of three key nuclear sites in Iran.
The PM nsisted:“Iran’s nuclear programme is a grave threat to international security. Iran can never be allowed to develop a nuclear weapon and the US has taken action to alleviate that threat.
“The situation in the Middle East remains volatile and stability in the region is a priority. We call on Iran to return to the negotiating table and reach a diplomatic solution to end this crisis.”
![Sir Keir Starmer has called on Vladimir Putin to "stop dragging his heels and get to the [negotiating] table", as Trump calls the Russian president "misguided."](https://images.lbc.co.uk/images/734580?width=320&crop=16_9&format=webp&signature=hCtUT-QBb1QuxMxVTF6Ch2nl6Ow=)
