Iran seeks Russian help after the most significant U.S. military strikes against the Islamic Republic since the 1979 revolution. On Monday, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi traveled to Moscow to hand-deliver a letter from Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei to President Vladimir Putin. The letter calls for stronger Russian backing as tensions with the United States and Israel rise.
U.S. President Donald Trump and Israeli officials have openly discussed the possibility of regime change in Iran. They even speculated about targeting Khamenei himself. These threats have alarmed Moscow, which fears further destabilization in the already volatile Middle East.
Putin has condemned Israeli strikes on Iranian targets. However, he has not commented publicly on the recent U.S. airstrikes that hit Iranian nuclear facilities. Last week, he offered to mediate and urged both sides to remain calm.
According to Reuters, Araqchi’s visit carries more than a diplomatic message. Iranian insiders said Tehran feels that Russia has not done enough. They want Moscow to take clearer steps in supporting Iran. While the sources didn’t specify the form of help Iran seeks, the visit suggests growing frustration with Russia’s current position.
The Kremlin confirmed that Putin would meet Araqchi. However, officials gave no details about the agenda. Araqchi told Russia’s TASS news agency that Iran and Russia were aligning their positions on how to handle the worsening crisis.
Putin has long offered to mediate between Iran and the U.S. He has promoted peaceful solutions and stressed that Iran should retain access to civil nuclear energy. Last week, he reiterated this message but avoided directly criticizing the U.S. strikes.
Still, Tehran appears unimpressed. Iranian officials expect stronger political or strategic support from a partner they view as a counterweight to U.S. power. Many in Tehran believe the time has come for Russia to act beyond words.
So far, Putin has avoided taking a confrontational stance against Washington. Russia remains heavily engaged in Ukraine and may prefer to limit its exposure to additional global conflicts. Yet Iran remains strategically important for Moscow, especially as a partner in nuclear negotiations and regional diplomacy.
Russia holds a permanent seat on the U.N. Security Council and played a vital role in the original 2015 nuclear deal. Although Trump abandoned the agreement in 2018, Moscow continues to support Iran’s right to peaceful nuclear development. Russia is also constructing two new reactors at Iran’s Bushehr nuclear plant. Putin recently said Israel promised not to target Russian specialists working at those sites.
Despite these reassurances, Tehran wants stronger guarantees. Araqchi’s mission is seen as a direct appeal for action. While the content of Khamenei’s letter remains private, the timing and urgency suggest Iran views the moment as critical.
Russia faces a delicate balancing act. On one side, it seeks to maintain influence in the Middle East and preserve its alliance with Tehran. On the other, it wants to avoid worsening tensions with Washington—especially as Trump signals interest in repairing relations with Moscow.
Ultimately, whether Russia increases support will depend on its assessment of the risks. For now, Putin continues offering diplomatic engagement while avoiding deep entanglement. But if the crisis escalates, pressure on Moscow to choose a side may intensify.
