Putin meets Iran's Pezeshkian in Turkmenistan, offers help to resolve Middle East conflict
In short
Russian President Putin met Iranian President Pezeshkian in Turkmenistan on October 8 and discussed the situation in the Middle East. Putin said Russia would make every effort to help Iran resolve the conflict. Pezeshkian said Iran wants to end the war as soon as possible but that the war cannot end soon if the United States persists in unilateralism, Xinhua reported.
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Russian President Putin met Iranian President Pezeshkian in Turkmenistan on October 8, according to a Kremlin statement reported by CLS. Xinhua, citing Russian media, reported that the two leaders met on the evening of October 8 in Turkmenbashi and discussed bilateral relations and the situation in the Middle East. Yicai also reported the meeting. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
Putin said Russia would make every effort to help Iran move toward resolving the situation. CLS quoted him as calling the current situation in the Middle East a serious problem, while Xinhua reported that he described it as the most pressing issue at present and said Russia understands that Iran is making real efforts to end the regional conflict. [ 1 , 3 ]
According to Xinhua, Putin also said that, on the basis of the 20-year comprehensive strategic partnership treaty the two countries signed early last year, relations were developing positively, with trade continuing to grow and active exchanges in the people-to-people field. [ 3 ]
Pezeshkian thanked Putin and Russia for their support to Iran. Xinhua reported that he said Iran aims to end the war as soon as possible but that safeguarding its rights is essential, and that if the United States persists in unilateralism, the war cannot end in the short term. [ 3 ]
Xinhua also cited Iran's Tasnim news agency as reporting on October 8 that Iranian Foreign Minister Araghchi said Iran and the United States were still holding indirect negotiations through mediators. Araghchi said Iran had put forward its own proposal, the so-called "seven-day plan", and had also heard the US side's response. [ 3 ]
Why it matters
The meeting shows Russia publicly offering to help Iran resolve the Middle East conflict, with Putin citing the two countries' 20-year strategic partnership treaty, according to Xinhua. Xinhua also reported that Iran and the United States are still holding indirect talks through mediators.
Key facts
- Putin met Pezeshkian in Turkmenistan on October 8. [ 1 , 3 ]
- Xinhua reported the meeting took place on the evening of October 8 in Turkmenbashi and covered bilateral relations and the Middle East situation. [ 3 ]
- Putin said Russia would make every effort to help Iran resolve the situation in the Middle East. [ 1 , 3 ]
- Putin cited the 20-year comprehensive strategic partnership treaty signed early last year and said bilateral trade keeps growing, according to Xinhua. [ 3 ]
- Pezeshkian said Iran aims to end the war quickly but that safeguarding its rights is essential, Xinhua reported. [ 3 ]
- Iranian Foreign Minister Araghchi said Iran and the US are continuing indirect negotiations through mediators, Tasnim reported according to Xinhua. [ 3 ]
Confirmed by several sources
Still unclear
- The content of Iran's "seven-day plan" and the US response to it. Araghchi mentioned the plan, as reported by Xinhua citing Tasnim, but no document gives its details or the US response.
- Putin's exact characterisation of the Middle East situation. CLS quoted him as calling it a serious problem, while Xinhua reported he called it the most pressing issue at present.