Russia says it stands ready to assist Iran as US strikes fuel fresh escalation

Russia on Monday declared it is prepared to assist Iran in the wake of US airstrikes that targeted key nuclear facilities, calling the situation “deeply concerning” and warning of a fresh spiral of regional escalation.

“Everything depends on what Iran needs,” Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov told reporters, emphasising that Russia had extended concrete mediation efforts. “We have offered our mediation efforts. This is concrete,” he said. “We have stated our position. This is also a very important manifestation, a form of support for the Iranian side.”

Peskov's remarks came hours before a meeting in Moscow between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi, who arrived in the Russian capital for urgent consultations following Saturday’s US bombing campaign.


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In televised comments during the meeting, Putin condemned the strikes as unprovoked and unjustified. “The absolutely unprovoked aggression against Iran has no basis and no justification,” he told Araqchi, adding, “For our part, we are making efforts to assist the Iranian people.”

Araqchi thanked Russia for condemning the strikes and said Tehran was acting in legitimate self-defence. “Russia is today on the right side of history and international law,” he said, also delivering greetings from Iran’s Supreme Leader and President.

The Kremlin warned that the fate of Iran’s nuclear facilities, and the potential radiation hazard following the strikes, “remains to be determined.”

“The situation on the ground in Iran cannot but be a cause of concern,” Peskov said, stressing that the number of actors in the conflict had now grown and a “new spiral of escalation” was underway.

While Moscow reiterated its willingness to help Iran, it clarified that any action would depend on Tehran’s specific requests. The two countries signed a strategic cooperation treaty in January, though it did not include a mutual defence clause.

Asked whether Iran had communicated its expectations, Peskov said the Iranian foreign minister could “share Tehran’s proposals” during his Moscow visit.

The Kremlin said talks with the United States on Iran, Ukraine, and bilateral ties are being conducted on “separate tracks.” However, there are no immediate plans for a call between Putin and US President Donald Trump.

“There was no detailed information [from Trump] about the planned strikes,” Peskov said, though he confirmed Iran was discussed during recent presidential conversations.

He noted that Moscow remains open to organising a high-level call swiftly, if necessary. “Communication channels with the United States remain open,” he added.

Russia had earlier warned that US military intervention could destabilise the region and plunge it into the “abyss.” Now, as the consequences of the strike unfold, Moscow is positioning itself as both mediator and strategic ally to Tehran, all while watching the fallout from Washington’s latest move in the Middle East.

With inputs from agencies