Putin Calls Russia a ‘Loyal Ally’ in New Year Message to Iran

Mar 21, 2026 at 06:28 PM

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Lanka Leader

Russian President Vladimir Putin has sent a New Year message to Iran, describing Russia as a “loyal ally and partner” of the Islamic Republic, according to a statement released by the Kremlin on Saturday(21).

The message was addressed to Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Seyed Mojtaba Khamenei, reaffirming Moscow’s commitment to maintaining close ties with Tehran amid ongoing regional tensions.

In his statement, Putin emphasized that Russia would continue to stand by Iran during challenging times and expressed optimism about resolving the ongoing conflict involving the United States and Israel.

The Kremlin also noted that Putin had earlier sent a congratulatory message on February 9, following  Ayatollah Seyed Mojtaba Khamenei’s election as Iran’s new leader.

Russia has repeatedly criticized actions by Washington and Tel Aviv since the recent escalation of hostilities with Iran, which intensified in late February. Moscow has also indicated its willingness to play a role in de-escalating tensions and addressing broader regional crises.

The latest surge in violence began on February 28, when the United States and Israel launched a new round of strikes on Iran. Tehran responded with retaliatory missile and drone attacks targeting Israeli-controlled areas as well as U.S. bases and interests across the region.

The developments mark a continued rise in tensions, with both sides engaged in ongoing military exchanges.