Iran’s foreign minister, Abbas Araghchi, has told Russian President Vladimir Putin that the United States is hindering diplomacy over the Middle East conflict due to what Tehran describes as “destructive habits,” “unreasonable demands,” and inconsistent positions, according to Iran’s foreign ministry, which relayed the message via its official Telegram channel. The remarks came during Araghchi’s visit to Saint Petersburg on Monday, April 27, 2026, as part of a broader diplomatic push by Iran through Russia, Pakistan, and Oman.
In his conversation with Putin, Araghchi framed recent flops in US–Iran talks as a result of Washington’s behavior, rather than any unwillingness by Tehran to negotiate. Iranian state media and the foreign ministry’s Telegram posts say Araghchi criticized the US for pairing calls for dialogue with what he called “illegal” and “excessive” demands, including tough conditions on the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz and on Iran’s nuclear and regional activities, which he described as obstacles to any real agreement.
Araghchi arrived in Russia after a busy round of meetings in Pakistan and Oman, where Iran presented a framework it says is meant to “permanently end” the war with the United States. Speaking to local outlets afterward, he said it remains unclear whether Washington is “truly serious about diplomacy,” especially after President Donald Trump abruptly canceled a planned visit by senior US envoys to Islamabad, which Tehran saw as a further sign of US inconsistency.
In response, Putin and his foreign‑policy circle have reiterated Russia’s backing for Iran’s security concerns and described the US–Iran war as a destabilizing force in the region. Russian officials have also emphasized that Moscow supports diplomatic efforts, including those led by Pakistan, but make clear that they see Washington’s actions—such as the cancellation of envoys’ trips and shifting proposals—as contributing to the deadlock.
From Tehran’s standpoint, relaying its criticism of the US to Putin via Telegram underscores an effort to build a more coordinated narrative in Moscow that the current diplomatic stalemate is driven by Washington’s stance, not by Iran’s own conditions. As long as the US maintains its blockade‑style posture and insists on demanding major concessions, Iranian officials say, they will continue to cast Washington as the primary barrier to a durable peace in the Middle East.