Iranian Foreign Minister Arrives in Russia as Peace Talks with US Stall
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi arrived in Russia on Monday (27/4) local time to meet President Vladimir Putin. The meeting is taking place as peace efforts between Iran and the United States (US) remain uncertain, following a series of regional diplomatic efforts and the failure of negotiations in Pakistan.
Iran’s Foreign Ministry, as reported by Al Arabiya on Monday (27/4/2026), stated that Araghchi arrived in Saint Petersburg, Russia’s second-largest city, on Monday (27/4) local time, where he is expected to meet Putin.
The visit to Russia comes after the Iranian Foreign Minister visited Oman and travelled to Islamabad, Pakistan’s capital, as mediators sought to keep the Tehran-Washington peace talks ongoing.
Iranian state media reported on Monday (27/4), quoting a statement from Araghchi, that discussions on bilateral relations and regional issues, including the Iran-US conflict, would be held with Russian officials.
In a statement to local Iranian media upon arrival in Saint Petersburg, as reported by Al Jazeera, Araghchi said he was travelling to Russia “with the aim of continuing close consultations between Tehran and Moscow on regional and international issues”.
Araghchi described his meeting with Putin as “a good opportunity to discuss developments in the war and review the current situation”.
“I am confident that consultations and coordination between the two countries in this regard will be very important,” the Iranian Foreign Minister said.
Previously, as quoted by Iranian state media, Araghchi stated that recent consultations in Pakistan had reviewed the conditions for resuming Iran-US peace talks. He emphasised that Tehran would seek to secure its national rights and interests following weeks of conflict.
Further Iran-US negotiations failed to take place in Pakistan over the weekend, with Trump cancelling a visit by US special envoy Steve Witkoff and his adviser and son-in-law, Jared Kushner, to Islamabad on Saturday (25/4).
The cancellation came after Tehran refused direct talks with Washington and opted to convey its concerns through Islamabad as a mediator. Araghchi made a brief visit to Islamabad on Saturday (25/4), but only to meet senior Pakistani officials.
As a sign that peace efforts are still underway, the Fars news agency reported that Iran had sent a “written message” to the US via Pakistan as a mediator. The written message reportedly outlined red lines, including nuclear issues and the Strait of Hormuz. However, Fars stated that these messages are not part of formal negotiations.