Iran-Russia dialogue increases need to deepen transatlantic positions – Lithuanian FM

VILNIUS – The dialogue between Tehran and Moscow on the latter’s possible support to response to strikes against Iran increases the need to strengthen transatlantic ties, Lithuanian Foreign Minister Kestutis Budrys has said.

“It would be very, very bad news if Russia were to support a possible future response by Iran to these strikes in the form of attacks against Israeli, US, or European targets in the Middle East,” the foreign minister said in a video comment from Brussels.

He stressed that such Russia’s involvement would “once again” worsen the developing relations between the United States and Russia, and saw an opportunity to strengthen Europe’s transatlantic dialogue.

“Looking at the opportunities, there are possibilities for us to return to transatlantic dialogue, sit down with the Americans, and work out both tracks from the positions of strength that were achieved in Iran. And where we still lack positions of strength, to achieve results, at a minimum, a truce in Ukraine,” Budrys said.

“All of Russia's attempts to keep Iran, Iran's attempts to draw Russia closer, give us more reasons to deepen transatlantic cooperation,” the minister added.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi held talks with key ally Vladimir Putin on Monday, 48 hours after a major US attack on Iran's key nuclear facilities.

Landing in Moscow on Sunday evening ahead of the meeting, Araghchi said the talks with Putin would be of "great importance," Russian state media reported.

Moscow is a crucial backer of Tehran, but has not swung forcefully behind its partner since Israel launched a wave of attacks on June 13, strikes that triggered Iran to respond with missiles and drones.

Even though Russia condemned the Israeli and US strikes, it has not offered military help and has downplayed its obligations under a sweeping strategic partnership agreement signed with Tehran just months ago.

Last weekend, the United States carried out massive air strikes that Washington said had destroyed Tehran's nuclear program, though some officials cautioned that the extent of the damage was unclear.