Iranian Envoy Delivers Letter to Putin Amid Nuclear Talks

MOSCOW: Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei, dispatched his Foreign Minister to Moscow on Thursday, carrying a letter for President Vladimir Putin. The purpose was to update the Kremlin on ongoing nuclear discussions with the United States, a nation that has previously alluded to potential military action against Iran.

Former US President Donald Trump had on numerous occasions mentioned the possibility of bombing Iran and imposing tariffs on nations purchasing Iranian oil if Tehran failed to reach an accord with Washington regarding its contested nuclear ambitions. The US has also deployed additional aircraft to the region.

Last weekend, representatives from the Trump administration and Iran engaged in discussions in Oman, which both sides characterized as productive. Prior to a subsequent round of negotiations slated for Rome, Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi stated on Wednesday that Iran’s entitlement to enrich uranium remained non-negotiable.

Russia, a steadfast ally of Tehran, is involved in Iran’s nuclear negotiations with Western countries as a permanent member of the U.N. Security Council with veto power and a signatory to the original nuclear agreement that Trump withdrew from in 2018.

Araqchi told Iranian state television that they always had close consultations with China and Russia regarding the nuclear issue. He added that it was a suitable moment to consult with Russian officials.

He indicated he was delivering a letter to Putin addressing both regional and cooperative matters. Putin subsequently met with Araqchi at the Kremlin.

Western governments assert that Iran’s uranium enrichment exceeds the requirements for a civilian energy program, nearing levels suitable for nuclear weaponry. Iran refutes the intention to develop nuclear arms, asserting its entitlement to a civilian nuclear program.

Moscow has acquired weaponry from Iran for use in the Ukraine conflict and formalized a 20-year strategic alliance with Tehran earlier in the year, though lacking a mutual defense provision. Both nations had been allies in Syria until Bashar al-Assad was ousted in December.

Putin has sustained cordial relations with Khamenei, given that both Russia and Iran are viewed as adversaries by Western nations. However, Moscow is eager to prevent a nuclear arms race in the Middle East.

Russia has asserted that any military intervention against Iran would be deemed illegitimate and unacceptable. Earlier in the week, the Kremlin refrained from commenting on whether Russia might assume control of Iran’s enriched uranium reserves as part of any future nuclear agreement between Iran and the United States.