Russian President Vladimir Putin has pledged to support Iran in peace talks with the US after meeting Tehran’s foreign minister Abbas Araghchi in St Petersburg.
Putin told Araghchi that he hoped the Iranian people would weather what he described as a "difficult period" and that peace would soon prevail.
Russia has offered to mediate to try and help restore calm to the Middle East after US and Israeli strikes on Iran, which Moscow has condemned. It has also repeatedly offered to store Iran's enriched uranium as a way of defusing tensions, an offer the US has not taken up.
“For our part, we will do everything that serves your interests and the interests of all the peoples of the region to ensure that peace is achieved as quickly as possible,” Putin told Araghchi, according to Russian state media.
"Last week I received a message from Iran’s Supreme Leader. I would like to ask you to convey my most sincere thanks for this and to confirm that Russia, like Iran, intends to continue our strategic relationship," Putin added.
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