Overview

• On June 21, U.S. forces targeted Iran’s Fordo, Natanz and Isfahan nuclear sites with bunker-buster bombs and Tomahawk missiles, escalating Washington’s role in the Israel-Iran conflict.
• President Putin told Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi that the strikes had “no basis or justification” and vowed to assist the Iranian people without committing to military aid.
• Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said any Russian support would depend on Iran’s requests and highlighted Moscow’s offer to broker talks between Tehran and its adversaries.
• Iran has reaffirmed its right to pursue its nuclear programme under the Non-Proliferation Treaty despite International Atomic Energy Agency warnings of “very significant damage” to its facilities.
• Experts warn the widening confrontation threatens regional stability and global energy markets, while Russia could benefit from higher oil revenues as it positions itself as a diplomatic broker.