Putin Affirms Continued Russian Support for Iran Amid US-Israel Airstrikes

Russian President Vladimir Putin has condemned recent U.S. and Israeli airstrikes on Iranian nuclear facilities as "absolutely unprovoked aggression" and pledged ongoing support to Iran, including in the nuclear sector. Putin reaffirmed Russia's commitment to the Bushehr nuclear reactor project in Iran, emphasizing that Russia will complete the existing reactor and build two additional units despite rising Middle East tensions, with hundreds of Russian technicians currently deployed on site. Putin highlighted that Russia's nuclear cooperation with Iran complies with international regulations and called for guarantees to protect Russian personnel amid escalating hostilities. Dmitry Medvedev, Russia's Security Council Deputy Chairman, claimed several countries are prepared to supply Iran with nuclear warheads, signaling Moscow's support for Tehran's potential nuclear development. Iranian and Russian officials describe their relationship as a strategic partnership with coordinated positions, while Iran maintains that diplomatic avenues remain closed due to recent strikes crossing a "red line." International concerns were voiced by the International Atomic Energy Agency's Director General Rafael Grossi, who warned that attacks on Iran's nuclear facilities, especially Bushehr, could release dangerous levels of radioactivity and cause widespread contamination.