TEHRAN – Russian President Vladimir Putin, on Friday said his country is closely watching developments in Iran and described the recent unrest in Iran as bearing similarities to a “color revolution scenario.”

In a phone call with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, the Russian leader reaffirmed Moscow’s support for Tehran and stressed the need to distinguish between legitimate protest and violent unrest.

During the call, Pezeshkian thanked Russia for its supportive positions toward the Islamic Republic of Iran at the United Nations and other international forums. He briefed his Russian counterpart on recent developments in the country, underlining the direct involvement of the United States, the Zionist regime, and certain European states in the unrest.

Pezeshkian said his administration’s domestic policy is centered on the people, emphasizing efforts to listen to legitimate demands and to address problems stemming from unjust sanctions led by the United States. 

He added that the Iranian nation, through massive and nationwide pro-establishment rallies held shortly after the unrest, foiled the plans of rioters and those seeking to sow sedition.

The Iranian president also reviewed the current state of cooperation between Tehran and Moscow in areas including trade, investment, transportation, power plant construction, and energy. He noted that joint projects are progressing satisfactorily, are being monitored on a weekly basis, and have faced no reported obstacles.

Putin also said he was pleased with his talks with Pezeshkian and conveyed his greetings to the Leader of the Islamic Revolution, Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei. 
Putin acknowledged that long-term sanctions have created economic and social challenges for Iran, but stressed that acts of rioting and sedition cannot be equated with peaceful civil protests.

He condemned attacks on state, public, and religious facilities, as well as violent assaults on security and law enforcement forces, which he said were carried out with foreign backing. The Russian president pointed to the million-strong rallies in support of the Iranian government and the Leader following the unrest as a clear reflection of realities on the ground.

Putin expressed hope that Iran’s economic situation would improve through measures taken by the government, adding that Moscow continues diplomatic efforts to explain Iran’s positions and circumstances in international forums and to prevent further escalation of tensions.

Referring to bilateral ties, the Russian president said Moscow welcomes the continued expansion of relations with Tehran. He described the implementation of joint cooperation projects as satisfactory and said the sustained, high-level follow-up by the presidents of both countries demonstrates the depth and continuity of relations. He added that new avenues for expanding cooperation will be reviewed in upcoming meetings of the Iran-Russia joint trade commission.