By The South Asia Times

MOSCOW – Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi arrived in Russia on Monday for high-level talks, including a scheduled meeting with President Vladimir Putin, following a whirlwind diplomatic tour that took him to Oman and Pakistan as part of intensified efforts to end the war with the United States and Israel.

Araghchi landed in Saint Petersburg, where he is expected to hold talks with Putin, according to Iran’s ambassador to Moscow, Kazem Jalali .

The visit marks the final leg of a three-nation regional tour aimed at aligning negotiating terms and securing support from key partners amid stalled US-Iran talks.

Prior to departing for Russia, Araghchi made a brief stop in Oman’s capital, Muscat, where he held talks with Sultan Haitham bin Tariq and senior Omani officials. In a post on X following the discussions, Araghchi wrote:

“Appreciative of my gracious hosts in Oman. Important discussions on bilateral matters and regional developments. As only Hormuz littoral states, our focus included ways to ensure safe transit that is to benefit of all dear neighbors and the world. Our neighbors are our priority” .

Oman’s Foreign Minister Badr Albusaidi also commented on the talks, calling them “good” and stressing the shared responsibility of littoral states to ensure lasting freedom of navigation through the strategic waterway. “Much diplomacy is required and practical solutions to ensure lasting freedom of navigation,” Albusaidi wrote on X.

The Strait of Hormuz, through which approximately one-fifth of global oil production passes, remains a key sticking point in negotiations. Iran has restricted movement through the waterway while the US enforces a naval blockade of Iranian ports.

- Return to Pakistan Before Russia Departure

After his Oman visit, Araghchi returned to Islamabad for a second time within 24 hours, meeting with Pakistan’s Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir and other senior officials. The brief stopover came after US President Donald Trump cancelled a planned trip by American envoys to Islamabad, saying there was no point “sitting around talking about nothing”.  Trump later suggested that Iran could “call us” on secure lines if it wished to continue negotiations.

According to Iran’s Fars news agency, Tehran has transmitted “written messages” to the Americans via Pakistan outlining Iran’s red lines on nuclear issues and the Strait of Hormuz. However, Araghchi has expressed skepticism about Washington’s intentions, stating he has “yet to see if the US is truly serious about diplomacy”.

In Moscow, Araghchi is expected to brief Russian officials on the latest status of negotiations, the ceasefire, and regional developments. Ambassador Jalali said the meeting with Putin reflects the close coordination between Tehran and Moscow, noting that the two countries’ leaders have held three phone calls since the war began on February 28, while foreign ministers have spoken 11 times.

Russia has consistently condemned the US-Israeli attacks on Iran and vetoed an anti-Iranian resolution at the United Nations Security Council. The visit underscores the deepening strategic partnership between Tehran and Moscow, both subject to fierce Western sanctions.

A Pakistan-brokered ceasefire that took effect on April 8 has so far held, but negotiations between Tehran and Washington remain deadlocked. Key sticking points include the status of the Strait of Hormuz, the US naval blockade of Iranian ports, compensation for war damage, and guarantees against renewed attacks.

While a second round of talks was expected in Islamabad over the weekend, Trump’s decision to cancel the US delegation’s trip has left the diplomatic process in limbo. No new date for direct US-Iran negotiations has been announced