Meeting with Araghchi/ Putin openly expresses support for Iran

2026-04-28 08:21:00, Kosova & Bota CNA

While the talks have stalled because the US and Iran have disagreements on fundamental issues and have not even found a solution to the key issue of opening the Strait of Hormuz, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi met in St. Petersburg with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Russia and Iran cooperate closely in several areas, but there is no open military support for the Iranians from Moscow.

According to the Russian news agency Interfax, Russian President Putin said that last week he had received a message from Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and could confirm that Russia and Iran will continue their strategic partnership.

Putin praises Iran's fight for sovereignty

Abbas Araghtshi said, according to a Russian translation of the statement, that relations between Tehran and Moscow are at the highest level and will be further strengthened. He thanked Russia for its support.

For his part, Vladimir Putin expressed hope for a speedy peace in the region. "We see how the Iranian people are fighting with courage and heroism for their independence, for their sovereignty," Putin said.

"For our part, we will do everything that is in their interest and in the interest of all the peoples of the region, so that peace can be achieved as soon as possible."

The Strait of Hormuz remains blocked

The US and Iran are making conflicting statements about the next steps. US President Donald Trump wants Iran's nuclear program to be included in a deal to reach a peace deal, which would also include opening the Strait of Hormuz.

Meanwhile, according to government representatives of Middle Eastern countries, Iran's proposal, which offers to end the blockade of Hormuz, does not mention its nuclear program.

Abbas Araghtshi accused the US of "excessive demands". According to him, the American approach has delayed the planned round of talks in Pakistan.

Rubio: Iranian proposal on Strait of Hormuz unacceptable

Marco Rubio called Iran's proposal to open the Strait of Hormuz unacceptable. Opening this globally important trade corridor for oil and gas supplies from the Persian Gulf region, against strict conditions, is not acceptable to either the United States or other countries, he told Fox News.

Trump plans a crisis meeting

According to reports from the news portal Axios, Donald Trump is planning a crisis meeting of his government regarding the Iran issue. As journalist Barak Ravid wrote on the X platform, the meeting is expected to focus on the "current impasse in negotiations" and "possible options for the next steps in the war."

According to the American television ABC News, some of Trump's top security advisers are expected to attend the meeting. The US government considers the latest proposals from Tehran to be insufficient. /DW