Russian President Vladimir Putin met Iran’s security chief Mohsen Rezaei in Moscow on Thursday as diplomatic efforts to end the US-Israel war on Iran gather pace, with Tehran seeking Moscow’s support on regional security and post-war arrangements.During the meeting, Khamenei aide Rezaei also handed Putin a letter from Iran’s supreme leader Mojtaba Khamenei, Iranian state broadcaster Press TV reported, according to Al Jazeera.The meeting came at a time when US President Donald Trump is facing a major political setback after Republicans lost control of both the House of Representatives and the Senate in the midterm elections. The results have weakened Trump’s political position at home as his administration faces mounting pressure over the economic fallout of the war.Speaking after his meeting with Putin, Rezaei said the discussions focused on regional security arrangements and Russia’s support for ending what he described as US “aggression” against Iran.“Important regional issues were discussed with Putin and significant conversations took place regarding the post-war period and regional security arrangements,” he said.The two sides also discussed expanding energy cooperation, including plans to build gas pipelines connecting Russia and Iran.Rezaei, secretary of Iran’s supreme national Security Council, said Khamenei had instructed him to deliver the letter to Putin as soon as possible. He said the Moscow visit had been planned nearly a month earlier but was postponed due to “daily discussions about the military situation in the region”.He did not disclose the contents of the letter.In a written statement on Wednesday, Khamenei said there should not be “even the slightest inclination towards submission” to the US. He also called for an “ever stronger” Iran to reach a “point of absolute deterrence”.
Seven conditions for talks
Rezaei’s Moscow visit comes amid intensified diplomatic efforts to end the conflict, with Qatar also stepping up its efforts to broker a resolution. Concerns have grown that Washington could resume attacks on Iran following the US midterm elections.Trump’s Republican Party lost control of both chambers of Congress in Tuesday’s vote amid widespread anger over rising prices, with many voters blaming the economic fallout on the war with Iran, Al Jazeera reported.The key sticking points in efforts to end the conflict include the future of the strategically important Strait of Hormuz, the US blockade of Iranian ports, sanctions on Tehran and the resumption of negotiations over Iran’s nuclear programme.However, Rezaei ruled out negotiations with Washington on ending the war or reopening the Strait of Hormuz until the US meets Tehran’s seven demands.“On the issue of diplomacy, we have announced seven conditions to the Americans. As long as they do not execute our seven conditions, we will neither open the Strait of Hormuz nor have negotiations,” he said.Rezaei said Putin had reiterated Moscow’s readiness to help bring the conflict to an end. Last month, Putin told Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian that Russia was prepared to “do everything” it could to support efforts towards that goal, Russian news agencies reported.The Kremlin discussions also covered plans for a gas pipeline linking Russia and Iran. The proposed project is aimed at helping address Iran’s gas shortages while allowing Moscow to supply gas to countries neighbouring Iran.Rezaei further briefed Putin on a meeting held in Tehran in late October involving Iran, Saudi Arabia, Turkiye and Pakistan. He said the Russian president had welcomed the initiative.“Like our Chinese friends, we believe that there should be regional arrangements and that foreign countries should not interfere in the security of the region,” he said.The Kremlin did not immediately issue its own account of the meeting, which was held at the Senate Palace, Russia’s TASS news agency reported.Separately, Iranian foreign minister Abbas Araghchi held telephone conversations with his counterparts in Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Qatar, Turkiye and Jordan.The discussions focused on regional developments and ongoing diplomatic efforts to promote peace, Iranian state media reported.Russia and Iran, both facing extensive Western sanctions, have strengthened their diplomatic and military ties in recent years.