Russian President Vladimir Putin has discussed Iran’s nuclear program with visiting Omani Sultan Haitham bin Tariq Al Said, the Kremlin announced Tuesday, amid ongoing diplomatic efforts surrounding Iran-US nuclear negotiations.
Oman has been mediating between Iran and the United States as President Donald Trump seeks an agreement to restrict Iran’s nuclear program, which Washington suspects is aimed at developing nuclear weapons โ a claim Iran denies.
“This topic was touched on… in the context of mediation efforts by Oman,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters during a Tuesday briefing.
Kremlin foreign policy aide Yury Ushakov added that both sides “discussed the progress of negotiations between Iranian and American representatives,” according to Interfax.
“We will see what the result will be. We maintain close contact with our Iranian colleagues. Where we can, we help,” Ushakov was quoted as saying.
Trump has threatened military action against Iran unless a deal is reached, while Iran has stated no agreement is possible under such threats.
Russia signed a strategic partnership treaty with Iran in January and is also working to improve relations with the Trump administration. Moscow maintains a stake in nuclear talks as a signatory to the 2015 nuclear deal that Trump abandoned during his first term โ a move that prompted Iran to breach the agreement’s terms a year later.
Russia has warned that any US military action against Iran would violate international law.
In televised comments, Putin expressed to the sultan that Russian energy companies were interested in developing relations with Oman.
Putin also announced plans to host a summit with Arab League states later this year as Moscow seeks new partners amid its ongoing Ukraine offensive.
“We plan to hold a summit between Russia and Arab countries this year,” Putin told the Omani leader, adding that “Many of our friends in the Arab world support this idea.” He invited Sultan Haitham to the summit, though no specific date or location was provided.
The visit follows Putin’s recent meeting with Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani for discussions on Syria and Gaza. The Gulf states have gained increasing diplomatic influence as mediators in major global conflicts.
A third round of negotiations between Tehran and Washington is scheduled for Saturday in Oman.
Meanwhile, Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi will visit China on April 23 at Beijing’s invitation, the Chinese Foreign Ministry announced Tuesday. The two sides will discuss bilateral relations and international and regional issues of mutual concern.
Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun described the visit as having “great significance for deepening political mutual trust” between the countries. Araghchi previously visited China, a signatory to the 2015 nuclear agreement, in December. During a recent Moscow trip, Araghchi told state TV that Tehran regularly consults with its allies Russia and China on nuclear matters.
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