Russian President Vladimir Putin met Iran’s security chief Mohsen Rezaei in Moscow on Thursday to discuss regional security. The talks took place at the Kremlin as diplomatic efforts gathered pace to end the United States and Israel’s war on Iran.
During the meeting, Rezaei delivered a letter to Putin from Iran’s Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei. Iranian state broadcaster Press TV reported that the Supreme Leader wanted the message delivered as soon as possible. Rezaei said the trip had been planned nearly a month earlier but was postponed due to daily discussions about the military situation.
Speaking after the meeting, Rezaei told reporters that the talks focused on security arrangements in the region and Russian support for ending what he called US aggression. Important regional issues were discussed with Putin, alongside conversations regarding the post-war period. Other topics included plans to deepen energy cooperation, such as building gas pipelines from Russia to Iran to address gas shortages and enable Russian sales to neighbouring countries.
Rezaei stated that Tehran would refuse talks with the US on ending the war and reopening the Strait of Hormuz until Washington meets seven specific conditions. Tehran has announced seven conditions to the Americans, and as long as they are not executed, Iran will neither open the strait nor hold negotiations.
According to Rezaei, Putin reiterated that Russia is ready to provide support to end the war. Putin previously told Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian last month that Russia was prepared to do everything it could towards that end. Rezaei also briefed Putin on a late October meeting in Tehran involving Iran, Saudi Arabia, Turkiye, and Pakistan, which the Russian leader welcomed.
Khamenei stated in a written statement on Wednesday that there should not be the slightest inclination towards submission to the US. He called for a stronger Iran to reach a point of absolute deterrence. Meanwhile, Qatar has stepped up diplomatic efforts to end the conflict amid fears the US could renew attacks following its midterm elections.
In the US vote on Tuesday, President Donald Trump’s Republican Party lost control of both the House of Representatives and the Senate. The losses followed widespread anger over rising prices that many blame on the war on Iran. Efforts to end the conflict have centred on the future status of the strategic Strait of Hormuz, a US blockade of Iranian ports, sanctions, and nuclear programme negotiations.
Separately, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi held phone calls with his counterparts in Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Qatar, Turkiye, and Jordan. Iranian state media reported that his calls focused on regional developments and ongoing diplomatic efforts to promote peace. The Kremlin did not immediately release its own account of the meeting at the Senate Palace.
Russia and Iran have strengthened diplomatic and military ties in recent years while both remain under heavy Western sanctions. The two nations signed a comprehensive strategic partnership treaty in January 2025 covering trade, military cooperation, science, culture, and education, which took effect that October. On Saturday, Iranian army spokesman Mohammad Akraminia announced that Iran had bought Russian Su-35 fighter jets and expected delivery after the war ends.
