ST. PETERSBURG – Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday declined to discuss the possibility that Israel and the United States might target Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, calling the scenario unacceptable and affirming that the Iranian people are rallying around their leadership.
“I do not even want to discuss this possibility. I do not want to,” Putin told senior editors during a media roundtable.
The remarks came after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu openly speculated that military pressure could trigger regime change in Iran, and US President Donald Trump claimed Washington knew Khamenei’s location but was “not going to kill him—for now.”
Pressed further, Putin reiterated his unwillingness to engage in hypotheticals and noted that Iran, despite internal complexities, was experiencing a consolidation of public support around its leadership.
He urged all parties to seek a peaceful resolution that ensures Iran’s right to civil nuclear energy and Israel’s right to security, stating:
“It seems to me that it would be right for everyone to look for ways to end hostilities… In my opinion, such a solution can be found.”
Putin also revealed that he had been in contact with both Trump and Netanyahu, sharing Moscow’s proposals aimed at de-escalating the crisis and protecting Iran’s right to peaceful nuclear development.
Putin confirmed Iran’s underground enrichment facilities remain intact, and rejected any notion of Russian military aid to Tehran.
“Iran has not made a formal request,” he said, referencing the January strategic partnership treaty, which does not include military cooperation.
Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov and the Foreign Ministry separately warned that any US or Israeli strike could destabilize the region or trigger a nuclear disaster.
Putin added that Moscow received assurances from Israel that Russian engineers working on nuclear reactors at Iran’s Bushehr power plant would not be harmed.
Finally, he emphasized that Russia is prepared to mediate:
“We can ensure Iran’s interests in nuclear energy, and at the same time, address Israel’s security concerns… We’ve shared these ideas with our partners in the USA, Israel, and Iran.”
