Russian President Putin assures help to Iranian people; condemns US attack

New Delhi (India) June 23: Russian President Vladimir Putin condemned the attacks on Tehran as "unprovoked aggression." Putin underlined that Russia was working to assist the Iranian people in the face of rising tensions while meeting with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi in Moscow.

Putin called the strikes "unjustified" and said that Russia was "making efforts to provide assistance to the Iranian people," as he informed Iran's foreign minister Araghchi.

Russian President Vladimir Putin received praise by Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi on Monday for criticizing American attacks on Iran, assuring him that Russia was on "the right side of history.”

Araqchi had also informed the Russian leader that President Masoud Pezeshkian and Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei had asked him to send their best wishes to Putin.

On Monday, Araghchi confirmed that he travelled to Moscow for high-level discussions and called the trip essential for "serious consultations." U.S. authorities are still determining the entire impact of the strikes but President Trump said they did "monumental damage," especially below ground.

Foreign Minister Penny Wong of Australia expressed support for the U.S. action, stating that diplomatic options are necessary to stop Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons. But Araghchi said he would not return to talks, accusing Washington of abandoning diplomacy and only reacting with force and threats.

Rafael Grossi, president of the International Atomic Energy Agency, said the US bombardment of Iran's Fordow nuclear plant probably caused "very significant" damage to its underground portions. Grossi said, "The impact of the strike may have compromised sensitive centrifuge systems buried deep within the mountain," on Monday during an emergency meeting of the agency's 35-nation Board of Governors.

Iran warned the United States that its military now has a "free hand" to hit American targets after Washington's serious attacks on Iranian nuclear facilities, and fired a barrage of missiles and drones at Israel on Monday. Residents were advised to seek shelter as Israel's defence systems were reportedly intercepting the threat, especially over the country's central and northern regions.

According to the Iranian media, the attack was a part of Operation "True Promise 3," which targeted Tel Aviv and Haifa. There have been no reports of immediate damage.

This most recent escalation comes after the US intervened the day before, using 30,000-pound bunker-buster bombs and missiles to attack three Iranian nuclear sites. Iran has described these acts as going over "a very big red line." 

Iranian General Abdolrahim Mousavi, head of the joint staff of armed forces, charged that the United States was essentially "invading" Iran and violating its sovereignty. He also warned that Iran now feels free to act against US interests and its army.

Aadrika Tayal