President Vladimir Putin receives Ali Larijani, secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, at the Kremlin during an unannounced visit on Friday. Larijani serves as a key adviser to Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and took on his current role last August. He previously traveled to Moscow in the summer after U.S. airstrikes targeted Iranian nuclear facilities.
Details of the Kremlin Discussions
The Kremlin confirms the meeting without revealing specifics. Iran’s ambassador to Russia, Kazem Jalali, explains that the talks center on strengthening bilateral relations and addressing critical regional and international matters.
Timing and Broader Context
This encounter occurs sholy after the United States imposes sanctions on Larijani this month, citing his role in the forceful handling of anti-government protests that erupt across Iran since late December. The demonstrations stem from economic hardships, though Tehran describes them as an externally orchestrated plot, claiming foreign actors supply weapons to demonstrators to incite a severe response and pave the way for U.S. involvement.
Earlier this month, Putin speaks by phone with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian to address the ongoing unrest and underscore robust ties between the two nations.
Escalating U.S.-Iran Frictions
U.S. President Donald Trump nearly authorizes retaliatory strikes against Iran at the protests’ peak but holds off on a final call. He deploys a naval fleet to the region to compel Tehran toward a revised nuclear agreement. Military preparations persist, with administration officials outlining potential actions such as targeting Iranian security units, nuclear installations, or high-ranking figures to fuel fuher domestic opposition.
In response to Trump’s warnings of intensified attacks beyond prior operations, Iranian officials pledge a robust defense and unprecedented retaliation. As both nations conduct military exercises nearby, cautions against errors and escalations intensify.
