(The Hill) – Russia stands ready to help Iran in the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, but Tehran first needs to articulate its requests, a Kremlin spokesperson said on Monday.
Russian presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters at a briefing that the assistance “all depends on what Iran needs,” according to TASS, Russia’s state-run news agency.
“We have offered our mediation efforts. This is concrete. We have stated our position, which is also a very important form of support for the Iranian side,” Peskov continued. “Going forward, everything will depend on what Iran needs at this moment.”
Peskov noted that Russian President Vladimir Putin plans to meet with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi on Monday, and the two plan to discuss options for assistance.
“Just today, the Iranian Foreign Minister [Abbas Araghchi] will meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin, where they will be able to exchange views in the wake of this traumatic escalation,” Peskov said.
“And, in fact, the Iranian side will be able to inform us about its proposals and its vision of the current situation,” he added.
The remarks come after President Trump announced Saturday evening that U.S. forces bombed three Iranian nuclear sites in Natanz, Isfahan and Fordow, the last of which is located inside a mountain.
Six bunker buster bombs were reportedly dropped on Fordow, while more than two dozen Tomahawk missiles were launched at the other two sites.
The bombings put the U.S. directly in Iran’s crosshairs for retaliation and made it an active participant in the Middle Eastern war, which Israel launched with airstrikes against Iran on June 13.
