Putin Sends Message to Mojtaba Khamenei and Iran's President: Moscow a Loyal Friend
Russian President Vladimir Putin has conveyed Nowruz greetings to the leaders and people of Iran. Putin delivered a message assuring that Moscow will support Iran in combating the war in the Middle East.
“Nowruz greetings have been conveyed to the leaders of Iran: the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic Ayatollah Seyyed Mojtaba Hosseini Khamenei and President Masoud Pezeshkian,” the Kremlin said in a statement reported by AFP on Saturday (21/3/2026).
“Vladimir Putin wishes strength to the people of Iran in overcoming these severe trials and emphasises that during this difficult period, Moscow remains a loyal friend and reliable partner for Tehran.”
Russia, a long-time ally of Iran, has condemned the United States (US)-Israel attacks on the country, which began on 28 February and sparked the war. On Wednesday (18/3), Moscow also condemned the killing of Iran’s security chief Ali Larijani in an Israeli airstrike.
Russia has not officially offered assistance to Iran since the war began, apart from sending humanitarian aid. However, US media reports indicate that Russia is sharing military intelligence with Iran to help with Iranian drone and missile strikes in the Middle East.
Iran has attacked US and Israeli bases as well as other targets around the Gulf in response to strikes on its territory. Earlier this month, the Kremlin declined to comment on reports that they are sharing intelligence with Iran.
Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei previously extended Eid al-Fitr 1447 Hijri greetings to all Muslims. The message was delivered by Mojtaba amid the Islamic Republic’s war with the United States and its ally Israel.
Viewed on X on Saturday (21/3), Mojtaba wrote that this year the spring of spirituality and the spring of nature—that is, Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha—coincide. Mojtaba extended congratulations to every Iranian citizen on these two religious and national holidays.
“I extend my congratulations to all Muslims in the world on the opportunity to celebrate Eid al-Fitr,” wrote Mojtaba.