Iran Turns to Russia for Support as Ceasefire Talks Stall

Iran is floating a separate-track proposal to mediators, calling for an early deal on opening the Strait of Hormuz and ending the war, while postponing the highly divisive nuclear issue. The United States, meanwhile, abruptly pulled back the negotiating team it had planned to send and lowered the level of dialogue by saying, "We will do it by phone. " Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi of Iran arrived in Saint Petersburg, Russia, on the 27th local time after leaving Islamic Republic of Pakistan, visiting Oman, and then returning to Islamabad the next day.
After arriving in Russia, Araghchi said, "Iran and Russia have always maintained close consultations on a wide range of issues, especially regional matters, and have continued bilateral talks. " He reaffirmed the friendly ties between the two countries. He is expected to meet Vladimir Putin soon to discuss the current ceasefire negotiations, the truce, and changing regional conditions.
After visiting Sultan Haitham bin Tariq Al Said in Oman, Araghchi returned to Islamic Republic of Pakistan and met with Asim Munir, the army chief, among others. Tasnim News Agency reported that the purpose was "not simply to discuss bilateral relations, but to clearly convey Iran's ceasefire demands through Pakistan, one of the mediating countries. " The ceasefire agenda Iran presented to Pakistan on the day included: implementing a new legal regime for the Strait of Hormuz; receiving compensation for war damage; securing guarantees against renewed aggression by the parties to the conflict; and lifting the maritime blockade on Iran.
An Iranian official said, "The current discussions are focused on the conditions needed to end the recent military conflict," adding that they are "completely unrelated to the nuclear issue raised by some parties. " According to Axios, Iran conveyed to the White House through mediators a plan to first reopen the Strait of Hormuz and declare a long-term truce or permanent end to the war, then continue nuclear talks later. The idea is to set aside the highly contentious nuclear issue for now and break the deadlock by agreeing first on practical steps such as opening the waterway and lifting the blockade.
The United States responded to Iran's conditional proposal by rejecting face-to-face talks and turning to pressure tactics. President Donald Trump, who had originally planned to send a negotiating delegation to Islamic Republic of Pakistan on the 25th, put the schedule on hold.
In a phone interview with Fox News on the 26th, he said, "We will do it by phone. If they want, they can call us.
" The United States is currently demanding that Iran halt uranium enrichment for at least 10 years and remove any pre-enriched uranium from the country. Washington believes that making those concessions first would eliminate its practical leverage over Iran.
Trump also engaged in psychological pressure, touting the impact of a maritime blockade. He called the anti-Iran blockade measures "incredibly effective" and said, "That means they can no longer make a lot of money.
" He added, "When there is a pipeline carrying massive amounts of oil and it can no longer be loaded, the line gets clogged, and that pipe will explode underground for mechanical reasons. Once it explodes, it cannot be repaired.
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km@fnnews.com Kim Kyung-min Reporter