Moscow: Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday met Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi in St. Petersburg, assuring that Russia is ready to do “everything in its power” to help bring peace to West Asia as soon as possible.
During the meeting, which Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov also attended, Putin praised the Iranian people for fighting “bravely and heroically” for their sovereignty. He also said Moscow intends to maintain its strategic relations with Iran.
“Russia is ready to do everything in its power to ensure that peace in the Middle East is achieved as soon as possible,” Putin said, according to TASS.
He also revealed that he had received a message from Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei last week and asked Araghchi to convey his gratitude and best wishes for the leader’s health and well-being. Putin expressed hope that the Iranian people, under their leadership, would overcome the difficult period and achieve peace.
“We really hope that, based on the courage and desire for independence, the Iranian people, under the guidance of the new leader, will weather this difficult period of trials and peace will come,” he added.
Araghchi, in response, thanked Russia for its support and said Iran had demonstrated strength in resisting the United States during recent conflict. He described Iran as a “stable and powerful establishment,” saying the people had succeeded in resisting “US aggression” and would continue to endure.
He also conveyed greetings from Supreme Leader Khamenei and President Masoud Pezeshkian, and said Iran-Russia ties represent a “strategic partnership at the highest level” that will continue to grow “regardless of circumstances.” Araghchi added that Iran was grateful for Russia’s “solid and strong positions” in support of Tehran.
Araghchi arrived in Russia after a series of diplomatic visits, including talks in Islamabad with Pakistan’s Army Chief Field Marshal Asim Munir and consultations in Oman on regional security, including the Strait of Hormuz and efforts to end the Iran-US conflict.
Describing his Pakistan visit as “very productive,” Araghchi said discussions focused on developments in the West Asia conflict and coordination with regional partners. He also said talks with the United States had faced setbacks due to Washington’s approach and “excessive demands,” despite some earlier progress.
Referring to stalled negotiations, he said consultations with allies like Pakistan were necessary to reassess the situation and future direction of talks.
The Iranian foreign minister arrived at St. Petersburg’s Pulkovo Airport early Monday, where he was received by Russian officials and Iran’s ambassador to Russia, Kazem Jalali.
The diplomatic exchanges come amid ongoing tensions in West Asia following the conflict involving the United States and Israel against Iran, which began in late February and escalated across the Gulf region. Negotiations between Iran and the United States have so far failed to achieve a breakthrough, despite multiple rounds of talks and ceasefire extensions.
With PTI inputs