TURKMENBASHI: Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian told Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday that Tehran would continue Iran-US talks despite accusing Washington of launching further military attacks during diplomatic efforts.
Putin backed the diplomatic path, argued that Iran did not start the conflict, and pledged Moscow’s support to help find a political settlement.
Speaking during their meeting in Turkmenistan, Pezeshkian said both countries had exchanged proposals to resolve the conflict.
Tehran has revised its proposals and intends to discuss them with intermediaries once officials finalise the changes. However, the Iranian president accused Washington of undermining negotiations through military action.
“We will not walk away from the negotiating table,” Pezeshkian told Putin. He maintained that Iran wanted to end the conflict while protecting its national rights under international law.
Nevertheless, he warned that continued US unilateralism could prevent a settlement. Putin backed diplomatic efforts and said Russia would work towards resolving the regional crisis.
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He argued that Iran had not initiated the conflict and was pursuing proposals to end the fighting. The Russian president also welcomed Tehran’s diplomatic initiatives, while both leaders expressed support for closer coordination on regional affairs.
Pezeshkian thanked Moscow for its positions at the United Nations (UN) and its opposition to unilateral international policies. Meanwhile, the two presidents discussed expanding bilateral cooperation in trade, energy, agriculture and transport.
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They agreed on the importance of accelerating joint projects under their strategic partnership. Pezeshkian described economic relations between Tehran and Moscow as improving. He said continued coordination could advance previously agreed programs.
They met on the sidelines of Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) activities and a Caspian Sea environmental summit in Turkmenbashi.
Iran participated as a special guest in the expanded CIS format. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian told Russian President Vladimir Putin that Tehran would continue negotiations with Washington despite accusing the United States of further attacks.
