FM Araghchi arrives in Moscow, says will hold ‘crucial meeting’ with Putin

Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, who arrived in Moscow for high-level talks early on Monday, said he will hold a crucial meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin to discuss joint responses to emerging threats and shared challenges.

The meeting comes a day after the United States carried out an unprovoked aggression on Iranian soil, targeting three peaceful nuclear facilities.

The American aggression followed more than a week of Israeli attacks, which began last Friday with the assassination of senior military commanders, scientists and ordinary civilians, prompting Iran to launch a large-scale retaliatory operation.

Speaking to reporters upon arrival in Moscow, Araghchi stressed the significance of the visit.

“Given the current exceptional circumstances in the region, it is essential that Iran and Russia engage in closer, more precise, and more serious consultations,” he said.

The top Iranian diplomat noted that these events have added urgency and depth to discussions with Moscow, including with President Putin.

“Naturally, our talks this time will be more serious and cover broader dimensions,” he said, suggesting that the talks would focus on American aggression and the Iranian response.

“We will have important and serious discussions with President Putin, and I am confident that the outcomes will benefit both countries.”

Earlier on Sunday, addressing a press conference in Istanbul, Araghchi announced that he will hold “serious consultations” with Putin during his visit to Moscow, amid escalating regional tensions fueled by Israeli and American aggression against Iran.

“I will travel to Moscow this evening and meet with President Putin. Russia is a friendly country to Iran, and we share strategic partnerships. We have always maintained close consultations and coordinated our positions,” he said in Istanbul.

He noted that Russia remains a key player in the nuclear negotiations with Iran, noting that Tehran has kept Moscow informed of all developments in recent diplomatic contacts.

“Over the past two or three months, we were engaged in talks with the United States and continuously consulted with our Russian friends, sharing every step of progress with them,” he said, pointing to all-weather ties between the two countries.

“Russia is a permanent member of the UN Security Council, and we are aware that together with China, they are working on a resolution to prevent hostile actions.”

Russian envoy to the United Nations, speaking at an emergency session of the UN Security Council early on Monday, delivered a sharp condemnation of both American and Israeli aggression against Iran, calling it a blatant insult to international norms and a direct affront to the global community.

“We strongly condemn the US’s irresponsible and provocative actions against Iran,” Vasily Nebenzya asserted. “The attacks carried out by the United States and Israel constitute a complete humiliation of the international community.”

The diplomat criticized certain UN Security Council members for their silence and inaction, accusing them of lacking the courage to denounce Washington's aggression.

“Some members of this Council do not have the courage to condemn these attacks. The United States has shown time and again that it does not value diplomacy,” he remarked

Press TV’s website can also be accessed at the following alternate addresses:

www.presstv.co.uk