Russian President Vladimir Putin (r) welcomed Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi (l) during their meeting in Saint Petersburg on April 27, 2026.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi blamed the United States for the failure of talks to end the war, during a visit to Russia where President Vladimir Putin assured him of his support.
Efforts to restart discussions on a lasting ceasefire of hostilities and the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz – initiated over two weeks ago in Pakistan – have so far failed due to the firm stance taken by both sides, despite a ceasefire in effect for three weeks.
Triggered by a U.S. and Israeli attack on Iran on February 28, the war in the Middle East has resulted in thousands of deaths, mainly in Iran and Lebanon, shaking the global economy.
“The previous cycle of negotiations, despite some progress, did not achieve its goals due to excessive demands from the United States,” denounced Abbas Araghchi upon his arrival in Saint Petersburg.
Since the start of the war, “it has become evident that the Islamic Republic is a stable, robust, and powerful system,” he told President Putin, according to Russian state television.
Moscow, one of Tehran’s main supporters, pledged to do “everything” to achieve peace as quickly as possible, said President Putin, as reported by Russian state media.
He stated that Russia intends to continue its strategic relationship with Iran, praising the “heroism” of the Iranian people fighting for their independence.
– “Credible Guarantees” –
On the American side, President Donald Trump convened his top security advisers on Monday to discuss an Iranian proposal, as reported by the White House.
According to a report from Axios, echoed by the Iranian news agency Irna, this proposal aims to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and end the war, deferring nuclear negotiations to a later date.
Tehran is demanding “credible guarantees” for its security and stability in the Gulf, as well as “full respect for Iran’s legitimate rights and interests,” stated the Iranian ambassador to the United Nations, Amir Saeid Iravani.
He spoke during a UN Security Council meeting on maritime security where dozens of countries condemned the Iranian blockade of the Strait of Hormuz.
French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot called on Iran to make “major concessions and a radical change in posture” for a “sustainable solution” to the crisis.
Before the war, 20% of global oil and natural gas passed through the strait, now subjected to a double Iranian and American blockade, resulting in severe consequences for the global economy.
However, the Iranian parliament is working on a law to place this strategic strait under the authority of the armed forces.
According to the proposed law, Israeli ships would be banned from passage, and passage fees would have to be paid in Iranian rials, reported Ebrahim Azizi, the head of the Parliament’s National Security Committee.
“We cannot tolerate the Iranians attempting to establish a system in which they decide who can use an international waterway and how much they must pay to use it,” said U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Fox News.
The head of the UN maritime agency, Arsenio Dominguez, reiterated that there was “no legal basis” for such a measure regarding straits used for international navigation.
In Tehran, the situation has become “frightening,” says Farshad, a 41-year-old businessman. “People are shocked by not having money to buy anything or eat,” he told AFP.
– At Least 40 Killed in Lebanon Despite Ceasefire –
On the Lebanese front, the Israeli army and the pro-Iranian Hezbollah claimed new attacks on their respective positions.
Israeli strikes in the south of the country on Monday resulted in four deaths and 51 injuries, according to the Lebanese Health Ministry.
These incidents bring the death toll in Lebanon to at least 40 since the beginning of the fragile truce on this front on April 17, based on an AFP count from the Health Ministry figures.
Hezbollah leader Naïm Qassem reiterated his refusal of the planned direct negotiations between Lebanon and Israel, fearing they could lead the country into a “cycle of instability.”
“Treason is dragging the country into a war for the benefit of foreign interests,” countered Lebanese President Joseph Aoun, promising to reject any “humiliating” agreement with Israel.
