Russian President Vladimir Putin held an emergency telephone call with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on Sunday to offer "unwavering support" following the breakdown of historic negotiations between Tehran and the United States. The Kremlin confirmed the diplomatic outreach occurred hours after a high-stakes summit in Islamabad ended without a breakthrough, leaving a fragile regional ceasefire in jeopardy.
According to an official statement from the Kremlin Press Office, President Putin reaffirmed Moscow's commitment to its strategic partnership with Iran. The Russian leader reportedly praised Tehran’s "constructive approach" during the talks and expressed readiness to facilitate further mediation to ensure a "just and lasting peace" in the Middle East.
The Islamabad talks, which lasted 21 hours, represented the most significant direct engagement between Washington and Tehran in decades. Led by U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, the negotiations reportedly foundered on the dual issues of nuclear guarantees and maritime security in the Strait of Hormuz.
In a televised address following the call, President Pezeshkian expressed gratitude for Russia’s diplomatic and humanitarian assistance. He stated that while Iran remained open to dialogue, it would not accept "unilateral dictates" that compromised its national sovereignty. He further noted that President Putin’s support served as a vital counterbalance to Western pressure.
White House officials maintained that the U.S. delegation provided a "fair and final offer." Vice President Vance told reporters at Islamabad International Airport that the responsibility for the stalemate lay with Tehran’s refusal to provide "affirmative commitments" regarding its nuclear programme. Despite the impasse, Vance noted that the American proposal remains on the table to prevent a return to full-scale hostilities.
The diplomatic failure has sparked international concern regarding the sustainability of the two-week ceasefire established on 28 February. As regional tensions rise, Russia has signalled its intent to increase its presence in diplomatic channels, positioned as a key intermediary between the Islamic Republic and the West.