Russian President Vladimir Putin has told Iran's top diplomat that Moscow would do everything it could to help secure peace in the Middle East, during a meeting in St. Petersburg.
"For our part, we will do everything that serves your interests, the interests of all the people of the region, so that peace can be achieved as soon as possible," Russian state media quoted Putin as telling Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi on Monday.
Putin also hailed "how courageously and heroically the people of Iran are fighting for their independence and sovereignty", the TASS news agency reported.
"Russia, just like Iran, intends to continue our strategic relationship," he added.
Araghchi, speaking on arrival in Russia, had blamed Washington for the failure of talks on brokering a deal to end the fighting, with a ceasefire between the sides still holding.
Araghchi arrived in Russia earlier on Monday to discuss ongoing regional and global issues after a stop in Islamabad, Pakistan, where he held talks on ending the current conflict with the United States, Iran’s state-run media reported.
“The visit to Russia provides a chance to discuss with Russian officials the latest developments,” Araghchi said in a statement upon his arrival in St. Petersburg, according to state broadcaster IRIB News.
‘Importance of this conversation is difficult to overestimate’
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, presidential aide Yuri Ushakov, and Adm. Igor Kostyukov, chief of the Main Intelligence Directorate of the General Staff of the Russian Armed Forces, also attended the meeting.
On the Iranian side, the delegation included Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi and Ambassador to Moscow Kazem Jalali.
Earlier, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov noted that “the importance of this conversation is difficult to overestimate in terms of the evolving situation around Iran and in the Middle East.”
Washington and Tehran held talks in Islamabad two weeks ago following a joint US-Israeli military attack on February 28, but failed to reach an agreement.
Those negotiations came after Pakistan brokered a two-week ceasefire on April 8, which was later extended by US President Donald Trump. Efforts are under way to hold another round of talks.
