Putin, Iran Leader’s Aide Discuss Nuclear Program and Regional Tensions in Surprise Kremlin Meeting
Moscow, July 20 (VOM-Voice of Malaysia): Russian President Vladimir Putin met with Ali Larijani, a senior advisor to Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, on Sunday to discuss pressing issues surrounding Iran’s nuclear program and rising tensions in the Middle East, the Kremlin confirmed.
According to Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov, Larijani conveyed Tehran’s views on the “escalating situation in the Middle East and around the Iranian nuclear program” during the unannounced visit to Moscow. The meeting signals growing coordination between Tehran and Moscow amid a volatile geopolitical environment.
President Putin reiterated Russia’s long-standing position advocating for the stabilization of the region and a political resolution to nuclear-related disputes. “Moscow supports settling the Iranian nuclear issue through exclusively political and diplomatic means,” the Kremlin said in a statement.
The Russian presidency further noted that Larijani’s visit was carried out under the directive of Ayatollah Khamenei. Larijani reportedly conveyed Tehran’s official stance on regional developments, particularly surrounding Iran’s nuclear activities, and emphasized the importance of maintaining Iran’s rights under international law.
This high-level diplomatic exchange comes as reports emerge suggesting that Iran and the so-called European troika—France, Germany, and the United Kingdom—have reached a preliminary agreement to resume nuclear negotiations next week. The discussions are expected to focus on salvaging the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) or reaching a modified deal.
In a related development, Russia’s Foreign Ministry last week strongly refuted a report published by U.S.-based outlet Axios, which claimed that Putin had urged Iran to accept a nuclear deal prohibiting uranium enrichment. The ministry dismissed the report as “defamation,” underscoring Moscow’s consistent support for Iran’s right to peaceful nuclear energy.
“We have always emphasized the importance of resolving the Iranian nuclear issue through dialogue and have offered to mediate in finding mutually acceptable solutions,” the Foreign Ministry said in a statement.
Iran, for its part, maintains that its nuclear program is solely for peaceful purposes and that it has no intention of pursuing nuclear weapons. Iranian officials have repeatedly insisted on the country’s sovereign right to develop nuclear energy in accordance with international agreements.
The Kremlin meeting marks another chapter in Russia’s efforts to deepen strategic ties with Iran while positioning itself as a key mediator in Middle Eastern affairs. Observers say that both nations are leveraging their partnership to counter Western pressure and navigate increasing instability in the region.
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