TEHRAN: Abbas Araghchi highlighted the “strong strategic partnership” between Tehran and Moscow as he announced his upcoming trip shortly after the U.S. carried out airstrikes targeting three Iranian nuclear facilities.
In a statement on Sunday, Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi revealed he will be heading to Moscow in the next few hours for urgent discussions with Russian President Vladimir Putin. This development comes in the wake of the U.S. military strikes on Iranian nuclear sites. Araghchi underlined the close ties between the two nations, noting, “We regularly consult and align our positions,” according to reports from media outlets in Istanbul.
Moscow is a key ally of Iran. Tehran has supplied Moscow with military drones used in Ukraine and has received assistance with its civilian nuclear endeavors in return. Despite their alliance, Russia maintains relatively cordial relations with Israel. Over recent months, Israel has lobbied the United States to involve itself more actively against Iran’s nuclear ambitions, intensifying efforts after conducting its own unilateral strikes earlier this month.
While diplomatic efforts continue to seek a resolution to Iran’s nuclear program, Moscow has been clear in opposing any attempts at regime change in Tehran. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov recently described such ideas as “unacceptable,” warning that the assassination of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei could “trigger chaos” and lead to increased extremism within Iran.
