Iran ramps up diplomacy as foreign minister heads to Russia for war talks

Updated by Faith Barbara N Ruhinda at 1306 EAT on Monday 27 April 2026

Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi arrived in Moscow on Monday for talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin, as Tehran ramps up diplomatic efforts to bring an end to the United States–Israel war involving Iran.

On arrival, Araghchi said the visit was aimed at maintaining “close consultations” with Moscow on regional and international developments, underscoring the two countries’ coordination amid heightened tensions.

The diplomat said his meeting with President Vladimir Putin would provide “a good opportunity to discuss developments in the war and review the latest situation.”

“I am confident that these consultations and coordination between the two countries in this regard will be of particular importance,” he added.

The visit follows an earlier stop in Muscat, where he met Omani officials, as Tehran seeks to rally regional and international support for renewed negotiations.

Washington and Tehran agreed to a temporary ceasefire on April 8 after more than a month of fighting triggered by US and Israeli strikes on Iran.

The truce, reportedly mediated by Pakistan, has since come under strain amid disputes over shipping through the Strait of Hormuz and a US blockade on Iranian ports. Meanwhile, a parallel conflict involving Israel and Lebanon continues to threaten efforts to stabilise the situation.

Reporting from Tehran, Al Jazeera’s Tohid Asadi said Russia was likely to play a central role in any next phase of the conflict.

“We have one scenario for a diplomatic settlement and another for confrontation,” Asadi said.

“Russia is expected to play a key role in both, which is why Iran’s foreign minister is in Moscow for consultations on these tracks. Tehran has several priorities it is weighing depending on how the situation evolves, including developments around the Strait of Hormuz, the possibility of extending the ceasefire, or the risk of renewed confrontation.”

Meanwhile, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has reiterated that Tehran will not enter negotiations while the blockade remains in place.

The stance comes as the United States Central Command (CENTCOM) said its forces were continuing to enforce the blockade, preventing vessels from entering or leaving Iranian waters.

“American forces have directed 38 ships to turn around or return to port,” CENTCOM said in a post on X.

Pakistan’s mediation efforts
US President Donald Trump said Iran had “offered a lot, but not enough”, adding on Sunday that Iranian leaders “can come to us, or they can call us” if they wished to resume talks.

Araghchi earlier described discussions in Islamabad as “very productive”, saying they included a review of “the specific conditions under which negotiations between Iran and the US could continue”.

Reporting from Islamabad, Al Jazeera’s Osama Bin Javaid said Pakistani officials remained cautiously optimistic that diplomacy could still succeed.

“According to one diplomatic source, recent events have served as a catalyst, reinforcing the view that there needs to be a permanent end to hostilities,” he said.

“We are being told here in Islamabad that we are inching towards a framework of sorts that could provide a basis for agreement — not just between Iran and the United States, but also involving Gulf countries.”

-Aljazeera

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