Putin Signals Support for Iran in Standoff With U.S.

Russian President Vladimir Putin voiced strong support for Tehran in its conflict with the United States and Israel as he greeted Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi for talks in St. Petersburg on April 27. Meeting nearly two months after US and Israeli air strikes on Iran started a war that sent shock waves around the world, both Putin and Araqchi underlined the strength of ties between their countries. “We see how bravely and heroically the Iranian people are fighting for their independence, for their sovereignty,” Putin said after meeting Iran’s top diplomat. He added that he had received a message…