MOSCOW, Apr 27: Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi on Monday said he will discuss the evolving conflict involving Iran, the United States and Israel during high-level meetings in Russia as the major hurdle in the peace talks lies the key sticking points.
Araghchi, who arrived in St. Petersburg, is scheduled to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin and Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov. The visit comes amid what Tehran describes as an “imposed war” and follows recent diplomatic engagements in Pakistan and Oman.
In remarks shared on Telegram, Araghchi said Iran and Russia maintain close coordination on regional and global issues, but consultations had slowed due to the conflict. “We are using this opportunity to discuss developments related to the war and carry out necessary coordination,” he said.
The Kremlin underscored the significance of the talks, with spokesperson Dmitry Peskov stating that the meeting’s importance “cannot be overestimated” given the current situation in Iran and the broader Middle East.
Araghchi also blamed Washington for the collapse of recent Iran-US negotiations held in Pakistan, accusing the United States of making “excessive demands” and pursuing “incorrect approaches.” He said earlier rounds of dialogue had shown some progress but ultimately failed to produce results.
“Negotiations did not achieve their goals due to American approaches and wrong policies,” he said, stressing that Iran must safeguard its national interests following weeks of resistance.
Pakistan had acted as a mediator in the talks, prompting Tehran to engage in further consultations with officials in Islamabad to assess the diplomatic situation.
Highlighting ongoing flashpoints, Araghchi described the Strait of Hormuz as a critical global concern, emphasizing the importance of ensuring safe maritime passage. The waterway remains a focal point of friction between Iran and the United States.
Araghchi said his discussions in Russia would also review the broader regional situation and recent diplomatic efforts, expressing confidence that Tehran-Moscow coordination would play a key role in navigating the crisis.
Some of the core sticking points between the United States and Iran are the scope of Iran’s uranium enrichment program and the fate of its stockpile of enriched uranium. Iran insists it has a “right” to enrich nuclear fuel under the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty.
(UNI)
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