Putin and Araqchi huddle in Moscow as U.S. strikes push Middle East to the brink

In the aftermath of a dramatic escalation in the Middle East, Russian President Vladimir Putin has sharply criticized the recent U.S. airstrikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities, labeling them unjustified and destabilizing.

Speaking during a high-level meeting in Moscow on Monday, June 23, 2025, with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi, Putin signaled Russia’s commitment to supporting the Iranian people while urging dialogue to defuse tensions.

The meeting took place just two days after U.S. President Donald Trump ordered coordinated air raids on three major nuclear sites in Iran.

The strike, named “Operation Midnight” by U.S. officials, has sent shockwaves through global diplomatic circles.

It has also raised fears of broader military confrontation in the already volatile Middle East.

“For our part, we are making efforts to assist the Iranian people,” President Putin told Araqchi, reaffirming Moscow’s alignment with Tehran during these fraught times.

“I am very glad that you are in Moscow today.

“This will give us the opportunity to discuss all these pressing issues and think together about how we could get out of today’s situation.”

Iran’s Response: Self-Defense and Appreciation

In his response, Iranian Foreign Minister Araqchi framed Iran’s stance as legitimate self-defense in the face of unprovoked aggression.

He expressed gratitude for Russia’s firm opposition to the U.S. military action and delivered warm regards from Iran’s Supreme Leader and President.

“Russia is today on the right side of history and international law,” Araqchi told Putin, a message that echoes sentiments across parts of the Global South who view American military actions with skepticism.

Despite this clear show of solidarity, the scope of Russia’s tangible support for Iran remains uncertain.

Although both countries signed a strategic cooperation treaty in January, symbolizing deepening ties, it notably lacks a mutual defense clause, meaning military assistance is not guaranteed.

Moscow’s Warning: A Region on the Brink

Russia’s position has been consistent: military interventions risk spiraling into uncontrollable chaos.

Ahead of the strikes, Moscow warned that any U.S. aggression could drag the region into an “abyss.”

On Monday, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov reinforced this sentiment, denouncing the strikes and their fallout.

“An increase in the number of participants in this conflict is happening, or rather, has happened.

A new spiral of escalation of tension in the region,” Peskov told reporters. “And, of course, we condemn this and express regret in this regard, deep regret.”

He added that one of the most immediate concerns is the unknown status of the bombed nuclear sites and whether radiation hazards could now pose a threat.

“It remains to be seen what happened to Iran’s nuclear facilities, whether there is a radiation hazard,” he warned.

What Will Russia Do Next?

When pressed about the specifics of how Russia would assist Iran, Peskov left the door open, but offered few concrete answers.

“It all depends on what Iran needs,” he said, hinting that Moscow’s current focus may be on diplomacy rather than direct military support.

The Kremlin has reportedly offered to mediate the crisis, a move that Russian officials say constitutes a form of support in itself.

Whether Iran or the U.S. will take Moscow up on this offer remains to be seen.

Interestingly, Peskov also confirmed that President Trump did not provide Putin with detailed advance notice of the operation.

While the topic of Iran had been discussed in previous phone calls between the two leaders, Peskov said, “There was no direct detailed information about this.”

Global Reverberations

The geopolitical implications of these developments are far-reaching.

The growing closeness between Russia and Iran challenges the traditional power balance in the Middle East and may embolden other nations wary of U.S. military interventions.

At the same time, the conflict places immense pressure on international institutions.

These include the United Nations, whom the conflict pressures to respond meaningfully to a situation that could explode into a broader war.

The use of advanced U.S. military hardware in the strike, such as stealth bombers and bunker-buster munitions, also raises questions about future arms races and the security of nuclear materials under attack.

A Crossroads for Diplomacy or Conflict

As both Moscow and Tehran seek to rally international support against Washington’s actions, the world watches anxiously.

Will this incident trigger a broader conflict, or open a narrow window for diplomacy?

For now, observers believe one thing is clear: the aftermath of the U.S. strikes has reignited tensions in the Middle East.

It has also underscored the shifting alliances and rivalries shaping global power in 2025.