Rezaei delivers Khamenei letter to Putin

Mohsen Rezaei traveled to Moscow on Thursday to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin. The Iranian Supreme National Security Council secretary handed a letter to the Russian leader on behalf of Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei. State broadcaster Press TV reported that Rezaei delivered the message as quickly as Khamenei had urged.

Rezaei said the discussions focused on establishing security arrangements for the region. The talks covered the post-war period and Russia's continued backing for ending what Rezaei called American aggression against Iran. The two leaders also discussed deepening energy ties, specifically the construction of gas pipelines from Russia to Iran. The Kremlin did not immediately release its own official account of the meetings.

The visit took place in the Senate Palace, according to the TASS news agency. Rezaei noted that the trip was planned nearly a month prior but had been delayed by frequent discussions about the evolving military situation. He did not disclose the specific contents of the letter during his public remarks.

Diplomatic efforts to conclude the conflict between the United States, Israel, and Iran are accelerating. Qatar is leading intensified diplomatic activity. Concerns are growing that the United States may resume attacks after its midterm elections held on Tuesday. In those elections, President Donald Trump's Republican Party lost control of both the House of Representatives and the Senate. Widespread public anger over rising prices, which observers link to the war with Iran, was attributed to this shift.

Current peace efforts focus on the future status of the strategic Strait of Hormuz, the US blockade of Iranian ports, the application of sanctions, and the resumption of nuclear negotiations. Rezaei stated that Tehran would not engage in talks with Washington regarding the end of the war or the reopening of the strait until the United States fulfills seven specific demands. He said Iran will maintain its current stance until these conditions are met.

Putin reiterated that Russia is prepared to provide support to help end the conflict. Last month, the Russian president told Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian that Russia was ready to do everything possible to achieve this goal. Rezaei briefed Putin on a late October meeting in Tehran that included representatives from Iran, Saudi Arabia, Turkiye, and Pakistan. Putin expressed a positive reception to this regional gathering.

Rezaei noted that Russia and China share the belief that the region requires internal security arrangements. He argued that foreign nations should avoid interfering in the area's stability. In parallel developments, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi held phone calls with counterparts from Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Qatar, Turkiye, and Jordan. These conversations centered on regional developments and the ongoing diplomatic push for peace.