MOSCOW, April 28: Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Iran’s cooperation with Russia is continuing to expand despite major regional instability, as he met Russian President Vladimir Putin in St. Petersburg.
Araghchi said he was “pleased to engage” with Russia at the highest level and stressed that recent events have demonstrated the strength of the Iran–Russia strategic partnership.
He expressed gratitude for Moscow’s solidarity and support, particularly amid uncertainty surrounding renewed peace efforts with the United States.
During the meeting, Putin praised the Iranian people for their resilience and said Russia is ready to help promote peace in West Asia.
He emphasized Moscow’s willingness to support any process that ensures lasting stability in the region and avoids renewed conflict.
Russian officials, including Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, described the talks as constructive and practical, with the meeting reportedly lasting nearly two hours.
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov also reiterated Russia’s readiness to act as a mediator if all parties agree, stating that Moscow would support efforts to achieve a durable peace and prevent further hostilities.
Araghchi reaffirmed that Iran–Russia relations will continue to strengthen, saying both countries have stood by each other in difficult times.
He also noted that Iran has allies such as Russia who support its diplomatic position. In comments to Russian media, he said the United States had failed to achieve its objectives in its recent conflict with Iran, adding that Tehran had successfully resisted pressure from a major global power.
He also indicated that Iran is currently assessing potential negotiations with Washington. The Iranian foreign minister arrived in Russia after visits to Pakistan and Oman, where he discussed regional security, including the Strait of Hormuz and broader diplomatic efforts to end the conflict.
Earlier US–Iran talks had failed to produce results, while US President Donald Trump has called for renewed communication, including possible phone diplomacy.
Trump also extended a ceasefire timeline to allow more space for negotiations, though tensions remain high following the recent conflict involving Iran, the US, and Israel. (AP)
