Putin Champions 'Heroic' Iran, Pledging Full Support for His 'Axis of Evil' Ally

VLADIMIR Putin has vowed to do “everything that serves” the interests of “heroic” Iran in the stalled war against the US and Israel.

The Russian President welcomed Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi with open arms in St Petersburg – in a sign that the is going from strength to strength.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi and Russian President Vladimir Putin attend a meeting in Saint Petersburg Credit: Reuters Smoke rising as the Israeli army demolishes buildings and homes in southern Lebanon Credit: AFP via Getty Images

“We will do everything that serves your interests and ‌the interests of all the peoples ‌of the region to ensure that peace is achieved as quickly as possible,” he told his ally, according to Russian state media.

Putin added: “Last ⁠week I received a message from Iran’s Supreme Leader.

“I would like to ask you to convey my most sincere thanks for this and to confirm that , like Iran, intends to continue our strategic relationship.”

Meanwhile, the Iranian official praised Putin for his support, adding: “It has also been proven to all that Iran has friends and allies, such as the Russian Federation, who stand by Iran precisely in difficult times.”

Iran and Russia have a 20-year defence deal Credit: Reuters Putin said he would stand by Iran in difficult times Credit: Reuters

The meeting is one of the most significant since a ceasefire was unveiled between the US and Iran on April 8.

Sergey Lavrov, Araghchi’s Russian counterpart, described it as “useful” but did not disclose what was discussed.

has repeatedly invited itself to act as a mediator to calm down the tensions in the Middle East.

It has also ​generously ⁠offered to store Iran’s enriched uranium, a proposal quickly spurned by the US.

Russia has backed the Iranian regime in the stalled war with the US Credit: AP Luxury megayacht Nord, which tied to billionaire Alexei Mordashov, has passed through the Strait of Hormuz unchallenged Credit: AFP

Both autocratic regimes signed a comprehensive 20-year Russia-Iran agreement last year, which included provisions for closer defence cooperation and a deepening of their military ties.

While and Tehran say their increasingly close ties are not directed against other countries, the Russian military has made extensive use of Iranian during the war in .

Russia is building two new nuclear units at Bushehr – the site of Iran’s only plant – and Iran has supplied Russia with Shahed drones for use against , the production of which Moscow has since localised.

It comes as the Iranian regime continues its chokehold on the key waterway – with and failing to reach a breakthrough during .

Israeli military vehicles driving along the road between destroyed houses in southern Lebanon Credit: AFP

Iran has now offered a deal to re-open the Strait of Hormuz and end the war – but also put negotiations for their nuclear ambitions on the back burner, reports say.

The proposed deal would bring an end to the and reopen the key trade route – while giving the regime a buffer to talks about , Axios reports.

‘s bloodthirsty Revolutionary Guards have heavily restricted traffic in the strait for two months, choking a vital waterway that usually carries around a fifth of the world’s .

Yet a sanctioned Russian billionaire’s at the heart of the Iran war on Sunday.

The floating palace, linked to oligarch Alexey Mordashov, mysteriously slipped through the world’s most dangerous shipping lane, where tensions remain sky-high.

Tehran claims this plan would bypass a key sticking point and allow the two sides to reach peace more quickly.

But and lifting the blockade would remove Trump’s leverage over Iran.

It could give the US president fewer cards to play with in any talks over removing Iran’s enriched uranium stockpiles.

is expected to hold a Situation Room meeting on Iran on Monday alongside his top national security and foreign policy team, US officials say.