Putin Condemns U.S. Strikes on Iran, Warns of Escalating Global Danger

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday condemned the recent United States airstrikes on Iran’s underground nuclear sites, describing them as “unjustified” and warning that such actions were dragging the world closer to a major international conflict. Putin also pledged to assist the Iranian people but stopped short of providing concrete details on what form that support might take.

The Russian leader’s remarks came during a high-level meeting at the Kremlin with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi. Also present were Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, Kremlin foreign policy aide Yuri Ushakov, and Igor Kostyukov, head of Russia’s GRU military intelligence agency — a signal of the gravity with which Moscow views the unfolding crisis.

“The absolutely unprovoked aggression against Iran has no basis and no justification,” Putin told Araqchi. “These attacks are dangerous and destabilizing. They push the world towards a greater danger than many currently realize.”

Putin’s comments were made in reference to a new wave of U.S. airstrikes carried out in coordination with Israel, targeting suspected Iranian nuclear facilities. According to Pentagon sources, the operation involved the deployment of 30,000-pound bunker-buster bombs aimed at neutralizing Iran’s fortified nuclear infrastructure. The attacks were launched days after Iran vowed to retaliate for earlier Israeli strikes on its territory, further intensifying an already volatile conflict.

U.S. President Donald Trump, who has remained defiant in the face of international criticism, has repeatedly signaled a hardline stance on Iran. Both he and Israeli officials have made provocative comments in recent days, including suggestions that Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei could be targeted. They have also raised the possibility of supporting regime change in Iran — moves which Moscow views as extremely dangerous.

“The idea of targeting Iran’s leadership or pushing for regime change will only deepen instability in the Middle East,” Putin warned. “It risks plunging the entire region into an abyss of conflict, with consequences that will stretch far beyond the region.”

During the Kremlin meeting, Putin emphasized Russia’s desire to pursue diplomatic solutions and prevent further escalation. “We want to talk about ways to de-escalate tensions and avoid catastrophe,” he said. “For our part, we are making efforts to assist the Iranian people in these challenging times.”

While Putin did not elaborate on what specific measures Russia might take, analysts suggest that Moscow could provide Tehran with enhanced intelligence support, economic aid, or military advisory assistance. Russia has long maintained close ties with Iran, particularly in military and strategic cooperation in Syria and other areas.

The Kremlin’s sharp criticism of Washington’s actions underscores the broader geopolitical rift that continues to grow between the United States and its rivals. With tensions rising across the Middle East and nuclear risks increasing, the international community is watching closely to see whether diplomatic efforts can gain any traction before the conflict spirals further out of control.

The United States has significantly reduced its aid to Africa, with a proposed $49.1 billion cut in foreign aid for 2026, targeting global health, education, and agriculture.

The African Development Fund faces a $555 million cut, while UN peacekeeping missions have been defunded.

This move comes as the Trump administration pushes for “burden sharing” with African armies, asking them to take on more defence responsibilities.

The cuts will severely impact humanitarian efforts, particularly in countries struggling with conflict, hunger, and natural disasters.

In the Democratic Republic of Congo, the US spent $910 million on food, water, sanitation, and shelter for over seven million displaced persons. Without this aid, 7.8 million people may lose food aid, and 2.3 million children risk facing deadly malnutrition.

The Sahel region, described as the “epicentre of terrorism” by US Africa Command chief Gen Michael Langley, faces significant security threats from jihadist groups.

These groups aim to gain access to West African coasts, finance operations through smuggling and human trafficking, and pose a risk to both African nations and US shores.

Langley has admitted that the current upsurge in militant attacks is “deeply concerning”.

The US is reining in its sub-Saharan military operations, with plans to reduce its 6,500-strong personnel deployment in Africa.

Some military installations, including the drone base in Agadez, Niger, have already been shut down.

Gen Langley emphasizes building African nations’ self-reliance to confront terrorism and insurgencies independently.

Data modelling suggests that the USAID cuts could push 5.7 million Africans into extreme poverty next year and reduce economic growth by $4.6 billion by 2030.

The cuts may also drive African nations closer to rival powers like China and Russia.

….

Investigators probing the deadly Air India crash that killed at least 270 people have recovered the cockpit voice recorder (CVR), a crucial step in determining the cause of the accident.

The CVR, along with the flight data recorder (FDR), forms the “black box” of the plane, which is designed to survive crashes and provide vital information for air crash investigations.

The London-bound Air India Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner crashed soon after taking off from Ahmedabad’s Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport last week, killing most of the 242 passengers and crew members on board.

The investigation is being led by India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB), with assistance from teams from the US and the UK, including the US National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB).

The recovery of the CVR and FDR is a significant development in the investigation, as these devices capture crucial data and audio from the cockpit, including pilot conversations, alarms, and ambient sounds.

The analysis of these recorders will help experts reconstruct the flight’s final moments and determine the cause of the incident.

A high-level committee set up by the Indian government to examine the reasons behind the crash is expected to hold its first meeting soon.

The committee will submit a preliminary report within three months and propose new standard operating procedures (SOPs) to help prevent similar incidents in the future.

As the investigation continues, families of the victims are still grappling with the trauma and pain of their loss.

The process of identifying the victims has been slow and painstaking, with many bodies badly burned in the crash.

Over 90 victims have been identified through DNA matching, and 47 of the identified bodies have been sent to their families.

The former chief minister of Gujarat, Vijay Rupani, was among the identified victims. His funeral will be held with full state honors in Rajkot city.

The investigation into the Air India crash is ongoing, and officials are working to determine the cause of the accident and prevent similar incidents in the future.