Iran Says Ties with Russia are at their Closest as War with U.S. and Israel Continues

Iran’s foreign minister said that Tehran’s ties with Russia had never been closer, contradicting US President Donald Trump’s assertion that Moscow was “doing very little, if anything, to help” Iran amid the war in the Middle East, Duarte Dias reported for CBS News.

Iran and Russia reaffirm closer ties as the war in the Middle East continues, while the UK expands defensive support for Saudi Arabia. [Photo: President o Russia]

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, on his first visit to Tehran since the war began, condemned US and Israeli attacks on Iran as illegal.

His visit came as Tehran and Moscow sought to strengthen cooperation amid escalating regional tensions.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu posted a video on social media Monday showing a phone call with Trump during which he suggested that the two countries might have further military action to undertake, saying they had “a job to finish.”

US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth also met Netanyahu on Monday during an unannounced visit to Israel, according to two sources familiar with the matter.

In a related development, the United Kingdom announced that it would expand defensive military support for Saudi Arabia as the kingdom faced attacks by Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi movement.

British Defense Secretary Wes Streeting said Royal Air Force Typhoon jets would conduct defensive air operations over Saudi Arabia to help protect its cities, civilian population and critical infrastructure.

He said the aircraft would not strike Houthi targets in Yemen.

The UK also announced plans to send a military transport aircraft and an unspecified number of military advisers to Saudi Arabia. It extended its air-to-air refueling support for Saudi aircraft operating against the Houthis by another 90 days, according to CBS News.