Putin met Foreign Minister

By André Ballin

Moscow (dpa) — Russian President Vladimir Putin has assured Tehran of Moscow’s continued support during a meeting with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi in St Petersburg on Monday, Russian state media reported.

Speaking at the Presidential Library in the Russian city, Putin said he had received a message last week from Iran’s leadership and reaffirmed that Russia and Iran would continue their strategic partnership, according to the Interfax news agency.

Araghchi said ties between Tehran and Moscow were at their highest level and would continue to strengthen. He thanked Russia for its support, according to a Russian translation.

Putin also expressed hope for a swift peace in the region.

Putin met Foreign Minister

“We see how bravely and heroically the Iranian people are fighting for their independence and sovereignty,” he said. “We will do everything that serves their interests and the interests of all peoples in the region so that peace can be achieved as soon as possible.”

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said separately that a return to full-scale hostilities would be in neither Tehran’s interest nor that of the global economy, adding that Russia stood ready to mediate in the conflict.

Earlier, Araghchi had visited Islamabad to pass on Tehran’s conditions for ending the war to the United States via Pakistani mediators. There are currently no direct negotiations between the two sides.

Russia is considered an ally of Iran but has not openly provided military support. Moscow has recently reiterated its offer to take custody of Iran’s enriched uranium, while a key US demand remains that Tehran abandon any pursuit of nuclear weapons.

It remains unclear when, and even if, there will be a new round of negotiations between Iran and the US in Pakistan.