Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei has dispatched his foreign minister to Moscow with a letter for President Vladimir Putin, outlining Iran’s position on its nuclear talks with the U.S. and highlighting the importance of bilateral relations. The letter, carried by Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi, comes ahead of the next round of negotiations between the U.S. and Iran, set to take place in Rome this weekend.
Araqchi’s arrival in Moscow signals a deepening of consultations with Russia, a key ally of Iran in the ongoing nuclear negotiations. The Kremlin confirmed that Putin would meet with Araqchi to discuss the contents of the letter, which covers both global issues and matters of regional concern.
In recent weeks, U.S. President Donald Trump has escalated tensions, repeatedly threatening military action against Iran and warning of additional tariffs on countries purchasing Iranian oil if no nuclear agreement is reached. As part of this pressure, the U.S. has moved additional warplanes into the region.
During talks last weekend in Oman, both sides described the discussions as constructive. However, the Iranian government has made it clear that its right to enrich uranium remains non-negotiable, a stance reinforced by Araqchi’s comments on Iranian state TV.
Russia, a permanent member of the U.N. Security Council and a signatory of the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), has maintained its support for Iran’s nuclear ambitions within the framework of civilian energy use. Moscow has also maintained a military and economic partnership with Tehran, including the purchase of weapons for use in the ongoing war in Ukraine.
Despite these ties, Russia has made clear its opposition to any military action against Iran. The Kremlin has said that any military strike on Iran would be “illegal and unacceptable.”
Putin and Khamenei’s longstanding alliance has solidified their positions as adversaries to Western powers, yet Russia has been careful not to provoke a nuclear arms race in the Middle East. While both countries seek to counter U.S. influence in the region, Russia’s role as a mediator and its advocacy for stability in the region have shaped its diplomatic approach to the Iran nuclear issue.
The upcoming talks in Rome, following the diplomatic exchanges in Oman, are expected to address the contentious issues surrounding Iran’s uranium enrichment and its compliance with the 2015 nuclear deal. Russia’s foreign ministry emphasized that Moscow’s efforts are geared toward expanding mutually beneficial relations with Iran while promoting regional stability and international security.
