Iranian foreign minister heads to Russia, Trump says 'call us' to negotiate
US President Donald Trump said Iran could telephone if it wants to negotiate an end to their two-month war, as Tehran's foreign minister Abbas Araqchi landed in Russia on Monday to seek support from President Vladimir Putin.
The parallel moves come amid a fragile pause in fighting that has failed to translate into a broader political settlement. Despite backchannel contacts through mediators such as Pakistan and Oman, both sides remain divided over core issues, particularly Iran’s nuclear programme and control over the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz.
Trump, speaking in a televised interview, reiterated that any agreement must include Iran abandoning nuclear weapons ambitions. He framed the conditions as straightforward, stressing that Washington sees no basis for talks without firm commitments on nuclear restrictions. Tehran, however, continues to insist on its right to uranium enrichment, maintaining that its programme is strictly for civilian energy purposes.
Diplomatic momentum appeared to stall over the weekend after the US cancelled a planned visit by senior envoys to Islamabad, a move widely interpreted as a sign of dissatisfaction with Iran’s latest proposal. Reports suggest Tehran floated a phased plan involving reopening the Strait of Hormuz and addressing broader ceasefire terms before revisiting nuclear negotiations.
The prolonged standoff is already reverberating across global markets. Oil prices edged higher in early Asian trading, while investor sentiment weakened amid fears of continued disruption to energy supplies. The Strait of Hormuz, a chokepoint for roughly one-fifth of global oil shipments, remains partially restricted, amplifying concerns over inflation and supply chains worldwide.
Russia’s involvement adds another layer to the crisis. Moscow has positioned itself as a key partner for Tehran, both diplomatically and strategically, amid heightened tensions with Western powers. Araqchi’s visit is expected to focus on securing political support and exploring coordinated responses to mounting external pressure.
With thousands reported dead and economic fallout intensifying, analysts warn that without a breakthrough soon, the conflict risks sliding into a prolonged stalemate with far-reaching global consequences.
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