Iranian foreign minister heads to Russia

HOPES of a diplomatic breakthrough in the ongoing United States–Iran conflict have dimmed sharply, as President Donald Trump signalled Iran could initiate direct talks while Tehran turned to Russia for support amid stalled negotiations and mounting economic fallout.

Speaking after the collapse of weekend peace efforts, Trump said Iran had the option of re-engaging through direct communication.

“If they want to talk, they can come to us, or they can call us. You know, there is a telephone. We have nice, secure lines,” Reuters reported the US President saying on Monday.

“They know what has to be in the agreement. It's very simple: They cannot have a nuclear weapon; otherwise, there's no reason to meet,” he added.

Diplomatic momentum faltered after Trump cancelled a planned visit to Islamabad by his envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, citing dissatisfaction with Tehran’s latest proposal.

Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi has since intensified shuttle diplomacy, travelling between Pakistan and Oman before arriving in Russia for talks with President Vladimir Putin.

Despite a ceasefire halting large-scale hostilities, no agreement has been reached to formally end the war, which began with US-Israeli strikes on Iran on Feb 28.

The conflict has already claimed thousands of lives, disrupted global energy supplies and heightened inflationary pressures worldwide.

Central to the impasse are disputes over Iran’s nuclear programme and access through the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz, a key artery for global oil shipments. Tehran has long insisted on its right to enrich uranium for civilian purposes, a position rejected by Washington and its allies.

Market jitters were evident at the start of the week, with oil prices rising and US stock futures slipping in early Asian trade as uncertainty deepened over the stalled talks and continued disruption to Gulf shipping routes.

Reports indicated that Iran had submitted a fresh proposal via Pakistani mediators, potentially linking the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz to a phased approach to ending the war, with nuclear negotiations deferred to a later stage.

However, there was no immediate confirmation from US officials.

Iran has effectively restricted access through the strait, while Washington has maintained a blockade on Iranian ports, giving both sides leverage but also prolonging the standoff.

Iran’s envoy to Moscow, Kazem Jalali, said Araqchi’s visit was part of a broader diplomatic effort under mounting external pressure.

“Iran and Russia are present in a united front in the campaign of the world's totalitarian forces against independent and justice-seeking countries, as well as countries that seek a world free from unilateralism and Western domination,” he said.

Meanwhile, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian reiterated Tehran’s position in a call with Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, rejecting negotiations under pressure.

He said Iran would not enter “imposed negotiations” conducted under threats or blockade, adding that Washington must first remove restrictions, including maritime measures, before meaningful dialogue could begin.

With domestic pressure mounting on Trump to end the conflict and Iran leveraging its strategic position over global shipping routes, the prospects for a swift resolution remain uncertain as both sides hold firm to their core demands. - April 27, 2026