Unprovoked aggression against Iran lacks justification: Putin

MOSCOW -- The unprovoked aggression against Iran has no basis or justification, Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Monday at a meeting with visiting Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi.

"Your visit to Russia comes at a complex time, a period of acute tension in the region and around your country," Putin told Araghchi.

"Our position on the ongoing events is well-known. It has been clearly outlined by the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and you are aware of our stance in the UN Security Council," Putin said.

Putin noted that Russia shares long-standing, friendly, and steadfast ties with Iran and is actively working to support the Iranian people.

Araghchi said that Iran and Russia have a close relationship, one defined as "strategic in nature over the past few years" and involving Iran's civilian nuclear program.

The Russian foreign ministry said in a statement on Sunday that the irresponsible decision to carry out missile and bomb strikes against the territory of a sovereign state — no matter what arguments are invoked — grossly violates international law, the UN Charter, and UN Security Council resolutions.

The ministry called on the UN Security Council to take action and said US and Israeli confrontations must be collectively rejected. Russia called for an end to aggression and a return to negotiations.