Iranian Foreign Minister to Deliver Supreme Leader’s Message to President Putin
Tehran, The Gulf Observer: Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi announced on Wednesday that he will soon travel to Moscow to deliver a written message from the Leader of the Islamic Revolution, Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, to Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Speaking to reporters following a cabinet meeting in Tehran, Araqchi stated, “The purpose of my trip to Russia is to convey the Leader’s written message to Russia’s leadership, which will be delivered during a meeting with Mr. Vladimir Putin, Russia’s president.”
The announcement comes as diplomatic momentum builds ahead of a second round of indirect talks between Iran and the United States, scheduled to take place in Muscat, Oman, on April 19. The first round of negotiations was held in the Omani capital on April 12. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei confirmed the upcoming session, which forms part of broader efforts to ease tensions and revive dialogue between Tehran and Washington.
Commenting on the Muscat talks, Araqchi voiced concern over what he described as contradictory messaging from the American side, particularly from Steve Witkoff, the U.S. chief negotiator. “We have been hearing positions expressed by the American side which have sometimes been contradictory; that will help the negotiating process in no way,” he said.
The foreign minister warned that conflicting statements by U.S. officials could hinder progress. “If the U.S. side continues with its conflicting stances, work will be made difficult,” Araqchi emphasized.
Witkoff drew criticism after making conflicting remarks on Iran’s nuclear program. On Tuesday, he asserted that Iran must “stop and eliminate” its uranium enrichment efforts to reach a deal with Washington, contradicting his earlier suggestion that low-level enrichment for energy purposes might be acceptable.
Araqchi reiterated Iran’s longstanding position that negotiations must be conducted on equal terms and free of pressure. “If negotiations are based on equal footing and are held in a respectful atmosphere, they can proceed. But nothing will come of pressure and imposition,” he said.
The foreign minister’s planned visit to Moscow and the continuation of U.S.-Iran talks reflect Tehran’s active engagement in regional diplomacy at a critical juncture.
