WANA (Jun 23) – Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi announced on Monday morning that he will hold high-level discussions with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday to address shared challenges and threats, particularly in light of recent geopolitical developments and U.S. military aggression against Iran.

 

Speaking to reporters upon arrival in Moscow, Araghchi emphasized that Iran and Russia “have always shared mutual concerns, threats, and adversaries” and regularly engage in “close consultations and coordination” to confront them. He stated that this cooperative approach will be at the core of his meeting with Putin.

 

Escalating Tensions After U.S. Attacks on Iranian Nuclear Sites

The visit comes in the wake of U.S. airstrikes targeting Iran’s nuclear facilities in Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan early Sunday morning. The attacks mark a sharp escalation in tensions, with Araghchi labeling them as “aggression” and “a blatant violation of international law and the United Nations Charter.”

 

He thanked Russia for its firm condemnation of the strikes and expressed hope that Moscow’s stance would be followed by concrete actions in the UN Security Council and other international bodies.

 

Call for Stronger Iran-Russia Coordination

“This is a critical juncture for the international system,” Araghchi warned. “Our consultations with Russia must now become more precise, serious, and closer than ever before.”

 

He confirmed that the Moscow trip had been scheduled prior to the recent events, following his participation in the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) meeting in Istanbul. However, the U.S. and Israeli military actions have shifted the agenda toward regional security and the implications for the global non-proliferation regime.

 

NPT Violated, Global Security at Risk

The Iranian Foreign Minister criticized the U.S. strike as a direct attack on the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT). “This aggression undermines the NPT and shakes the very foundation of the global non-proliferation system,” he said, warning that such actions could deter countries from committing to peaceful nuclear programs.

 

“When a country is attacked for its nuclear energy facilities and international bodies fail even to condemn it, serious questions arise about the credibility of the NPT,” he noted.

 

Legitimate Right to Self-Defense

Araghchi insisted that Iran’s response would be within the framework of the UN Charter, stressing that the attack was unprovoked and illegitimate. “What we do in response is legitimate self-defense against unlawful aggression,” he asserted.

 

In a separate statement issued after the strikes, Araghchi reaffirmed that Iran reserves all options to defend its sovereignty, interests, and people.

 

Meanwhile, Iran’s Atomic Energy Organization condemned the strikes as a “barbaric” violation of international law and affirmed that the country’s nuclear development will not be halted.

 

Regional and Global Ramifications

Araghchi concluded by warning that the repercussions of U.S. and Israeli aggression extend far beyond Iran. “These unlawful actions are not just challenges for Iran, but for the region, the international community, and the entire legal order,” he said.

 

The upcoming talks between Araghchi and Putin are expected to shape the next phase of strategic cooperation between Tehran and Moscow as they navigate a rapidly evolving regional security landscape.