Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday condemned the recent attacks on Iran’s nuclear facilities, describing them as an “absolutely unprovoked act of aggression,” and reaffirmed Moscow’s support for Tehran. The statement came during a meeting in the Kremlin with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, who was received with honors in the Russian capital.
“They are baseless and unjustified,” Putin said after the meeting, emphasizing that Russia “is making efforts to assist the Iranian people.” Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov echoed the message, stating that Moscow is ready to act as a mediator: “It all depends on Iran’s needs.”
Araghchi publicly thanked Russia for its support and described Iran’s defense against U.S. and Israeli actions as “legitimate.”
Meanwhile, Israel has intensified its military operations inside Iranian territory. On Monday, it launched fresh airstrikes on key targets linked to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps in Tehran, including the notorious Evin Prison and other facilities of this paramilitary group, according to Israel’s Ministry of Defense. Iranian state television aired footage confirming the attacks.
Israel also claimed to have struck the security headquarters of the Revolutionary Guard, bases of the Basij paramilitary force, and Palestine Square—an iconic public space known for anti-Israel demonstrations in the Iranian capital. Iranian authorities have not officially confirmed these strikes.
Elsewhere, Hezbollah’s leader in Lebanon, Naim Qassem, said the militia—funded and backed by Iran—would not join the war for now. However, he warned that the attacks “will carry a heavy cost,” warning that the entire region is at risk.
The regional tension has also reached Qatar. On Monday, the U.S. Embassy in Doha issued a security alert urging American citizens to seek shelter following concerns of a possible escalation. The Gulf state, which hosts the Al Udeid Air Base—headquarters of the U.S. Central Command’s forward operations—activated its security protocols.
Although Iran has previously threatened U.S. forces at Al Udeid, no such threats have been made since Sunday’s strikes. Qatar, which maintains diplomatic relations with Tehran and shares one of the world’s largest offshore gas fields with Iran, moved quickly to calm public concern. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Majed al Ansari said there was no specific threat and described the security situation in the country as stable.
Meanwhile, the Israeli military warned on Monday that it will continue targeting military sites near Tehran in the coming days. The warning was posted on social media, though internet access in Iran remains heavily restricted.
At the same time, a United Nations fact-finding mission noted that some Israeli strikes on Iran may have violated international humanitarian law, citing the deaths of several civilians, including three humanitarian workers, in a residential apartment block in Tehran.