Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi arrived in Russia on Monday for talks that are expected to include a meeting with President Vladimir Putin as Tehran seeks Moscow’s backing. The trip follows recent visits to Pakistan and Oman to discuss the widening Middle East conflict while direct diplomacy with Washington remains stalled.
Although Russia and Iran are strategic partners, Moscow has been cautious about becoming entangled in the region’s escalating clashes as it focuses on its full-scale war in Ukraine.
Araghchi blamed the United States for the collapse of an initial round of negotiations held in Pakistan in mid-April, saying U.S. positions and “excessive demands” prevented progress from reaching its objectives. He also emphasized that allowing safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz is an important global concern; the strait’s effective closure during the conflict has disrupted international oil and gas supplies.
Araghchi’s regional shuttle diplomacy comes against the backdrop of paused talks with Washington, with both sides rejecting multiple demands from the other. On Saturday, U.S. President Donald Trump canceled a planned Islamabad trip by envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, describing the discussions as “sitting around talking about nothing.”
In Pakistan, Araghchi met military chief Asim Munir, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar before visiting Oman, returning briefly to Islamabad, and flying on to St. Petersburg for his Russia meetings. He said talks in Oman concentrated on reopening the Strait of Hormuz, which lies between Oman and Iran.
Iranian state-linked Fars news agency reported Tehran is still seeking conditions for a second round of U.S.-Iran talks and has sent written messages to Washington via Pakistan outlining red lines, including nuclear issues and the Strait of Hormuz. U.S. outlet Axios reported Iran proposed reopening the strait and ending the conflict while asking to postpone nuclear negotiations. Washington insists Tehran halt uranium enrichment, citing concerns about weapons intentions; Iran maintains its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes.