Putin offers Russian mediation to end war in talks with Pezeshkian

Russian President Vladimir Putin renewed Moscow’s offer to help end the war in the Middle East during talks with his Iranian counterpart, Masoud Pezeshkian, in   on Thursday, as international tensions rise and diplomatic efforts to end the conflict remain stalled. 

Putin said Russia was ready to do everything it could to help resolve the conflict, praising what he described as Tehran’s “genuine efforts” to end the war, according to media reports. He also pointed to what he called positive developments in Russian-Iranian relations, which have strengthened politically and militarily in recent years.

The two presidents arrived in Turkmenistan to attend a summit of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), which brings together several former Soviet republics. The summit is due to take place on Friday at the Caspian Sea resort of Avaza.

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Pezeshkian said Iran remained engaged in dialogue but accused the United States of resuming attacks whenever Tehran enters negotiations with Washington, according to Iranian state media.

The Iranian president said his country was seeking a “final framework” to end the war, warning that Washington’s insistence on imposing its policies and vision on other countries would prevent a resolution.

Pezeshkian said a settlement would be impossible if the United States continued to pursue a unilateral approach.

The Russian-Iranian talks come as negotiations between Tehran and Washington remain deadlocked. Earlier this week, Pezeshkian described talks with the United States as “meaningless”,  arguing that attacks continued even after talks.

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