Putin meets Iran’s top diplomat, commits to deep ties

Russian President Vladimir Putin hosted Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi in Moscow on Monday, with the two countries reaffirming their deep ties and pledging to work together amid Tehran’s war with the U.S. and Israel. 

Putin said Moscow “intends to maintain” its strategic relations with Iran, Russian state-owned media TASS reported, adding that Russia is ready to do everything in its power to achieve peace in the Middle East.

Putin also said he had received a message from Iran’s Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei, who reportedly was injured and disfigured from the initial U.S. and Israeli attacks against Iran’s leadership. Those attacks killed Khamenei’s father and the previous Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei. 

The Russian leader asked Araghchi to convey to the supreme leader his “gratitude for this message and best wishes for his health and well-being.”

Putin, who has been indicted by the........

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