Putin slams attack on Iran, but offers no support to key ally

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday slammed attacks on Iran as "unprovoked" and "unjustified" in a meeting with Tehran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, but did not announce any concrete support to his key ally in the Middle East.

"This absolutely unprovoked aggression against Iran is unjustified," Putin said in televised remarks to Araghchi at the start of their meeting.

Putin has pitched himself as a mediator between Iran and Israel, an idea rejected by US President Donald Trump last week.

Araghchi told Putin that Russia has been a "partner and companion" to Tehran and hailed ties between Tehran and Moscow "very close and longstanding".

"Iran is exercising legitimate defence against these aggressions," he added.