Iran FM blames US for failure of peace talks due to "excessive demands" as Putin vows support

Saint Petersburg, Russia - Iran's top diplomat blamed Washington on Monday for the failure of Middle East peace talks during a visit to Russia, where President Vladimir Putin promised him Moscow's support in ending the war.

Russian President Vladimir Putin (r) shakes hands with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi (l) during their meeting at the Boris Yeltsin Presidential Library in Saint Petersburg on April 27, 2026.
Russian President Vladimir Putin (r) shakes hands with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi (l) during their meeting at the Boris Yeltsin Presidential Library in Saint Petersburg on April 27, 2026.  © DMITRY LOVETSKY / POOL / AFP

Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi was in Saint Petersburg as part of a whirlwind diplomatic tour, having sandwiched a trip to Oman in between two visits to main mediator Pakistan.

Islamabad hosted the first and only round of unsuccessful US-Iran talks, and Araghchi's visit had fanned hopes for fresh negotiations over the weekend, until US President Donald Trump scrapped a planned trip by his envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner.

"The US approaches caused the previous round of negotiations, despite progress, to fail to reach its goals because of the excessive demands," Araghchi said Monday.

Tattoo-addicted surfer inks her eyeballs to match the ocean
Tattoos Tattoo-addicted surfer inks her eyeballs to match the ocean

Trump told Fox News that if Iran wanted talks, "they can call us" – though he has said the cancellation does not signal a return to hostilities.

Following their meeting, Putin and Araghchi both voiced their commitment to their countries' "strategic relationship."

Putin promised that Russia would "do everything that serves your interests... so that peace can be achieved," state media reported.

Araghchi said the war with the US and Israel had shown the world "Iran's true power" and the stability of its governing system.

But back home in Tehran, the outlook was more sober.

"Everything in the country is up in the air right now. I have not worked for a long time," small business owner Farshad told Paris-based AFP journalists. "The country is in complete economic collapse."

Putin vows support for Iran in war against US

Putin told Iran's top diplomat that Moscow would do everything it could to help secure peace in the Middle East during the visit.

"For our part, we will do everything that serves your interests, the interests of all the people of the region, so that peace can be achieved as soon as possible," Russian state media quoted Putin as telling Araghchi.

Putin also hailed "how courageously and heroically the people of Iran are fighting for their independence and sovereignty," the TASS news agency reported.

"Russia, just like Iran, intends to continue our strategic relationship," the Kremlin chief added.

Cover photo: DMITRY LOVETSKY / POOL / AFP

More on Iran War: