Moscow, June 23 -- Amid heightened tensions in the Middle East, Russian President Vladimir Putin said that Moscow is making efforts to assist the Iranian people. His remarks came during a meeting with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi.

According to a report by Russian news agency TASS, President Putin stated, "We have long-standing, good, reliable relations with Iran. For our part, we are making efforts to provide assistance to the Iranian people."

Earlier, echoing this position, Russia's Ambassador to the United Nations, Vassily Nebenzia, sharply criticised the United States for its recent military strikes on Iran, accusing Washington of opening a "Pandora's box" with potentially catastrophic consequences for global security. The...