Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi arrived in Saint Petersburg, Russia, early Monday for talks with President Vladimir Putin, following stalled US-Iran peace efforts through Pakistan.
Iranian state news agency IRNA said Araghchi arrived to meet Putin, while Russia’s TASS news agency earlier confirmed the planned meeting through Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov.
The visit followed Araghchi’s trips to Islamabad, Pakistan, and Muscat, Oman, as Tehran sought regional backing during a fragile ceasefire with the US-Israeli side.
US President Donald Trump cancelled a planned visit to Islamabad by envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner on Saturday, weakening hopes for another round of indirect talks, Reuters reported through regional outlets.
Trump told Fox News on Sunday that Iran could call if it wanted negotiations, adding that Tehran could not have a nuclear weapon, according to Reuters.
Iran sent written messages to the United States through Pakistani mediators outlining its red lines, including nuclear issues and the Strait of Hormuz. Axios reported separately that Iran had offered a proposal to reopen Hormuz and end the war.
Oil prices rose, and US stock futures moved lower in Asian trade after talks stalled and Gulf shipping remained blocked, Reuters reported.
The ceasefire had held so far, but Iran’s restrictions on the Strait of Hormuz continued to disrupt oil, gas and fertiliser flows, raising inflation and food-security concerns in developing economies.
