Vladimir Putin has met Iran’s security chief in Moscow as diplomatic efforts intensify to end the conflict between Iran, the United States and Israel, with Mohsen Rezaei delivering a message from Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei.
The meeting took place on Thursday at the Kremlin’s Senate Palace. Rezaei, secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, said the discussions covered regional security arrangements, the post-war period and Russia’s support for ending what he called US “aggression” against Iran.
“Important regional issues were discussed with Putin and significant conversations took place regarding the post-war period and regional security arrangements,” Rezaei said.
He did not disclose the contents of Mr Khamenei’s letter, but said the Supreme Leader had instructed him to deliver it as soon as possible. The visit had been planned almost a month earlier but was delayed by “daily discussions about the military situation in the region”, Rezaei added.
Mr Khamenei said in a written statement on Wednesday that there should not be “even the slightest inclination towards submission” to the United States. He called for Iran to become “ever stronger” and reach a “point of absolute deterrence”.
Iran sets conditions for negotiations
Rezaei said Tehran would not negotiate with Washington over ending the conflict or reopening the Strait of Hormuz until seven conditions had been met.
“On the issue of diplomacy, we have announced seven conditions to the Americans. As long as they do not execute our seven conditions, we will neither open the Strait of Hormuz nor have negotiations,” he said.
Talks have focused on the future status of the strategic waterway, a US blockade of Iranian ports, sanctions against Tehran and the resumption of negotiations over Iran’s nuclear programme. Qatar has stepped up diplomatic efforts amid fears that the United States could renew attacks following its midterm elections.
Rezaei said Mr Putin had reiterated Russia’s readiness to support efforts to end the conflict. The two leaders also discussed closer energy cooperation, including a proposed gas pipeline from Russia to Iran that would help address Iranian shortages and allow Russia to sell gas to countries neighbouring Iran.
The Iranian official also briefed Mr Putin on a late-October meeting in Tehran involving Iran, Saudi Arabia, Turkiye and Pakistan. He said the Russian president welcomed the talks, adding that Iran and China believed regional security arrangements should be established without interference from outside powers.
Russia and Iran have strengthened their diplomatic and military ties in recent years while both remain under heavy Western sanctions. The Kremlin had not immediately issued its own account of the Moscow meeting.
Separately, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi held telephone calls with counterparts in Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Qatar, Turkiye and Jordan about regional developments and diplomatic efforts to promote peace.
