Tehran steps up diplomacy amid impasse

Amid an apparent stalemate in negotiations with the United States, Iran has stepped up diplomatic efforts by reprioritizing closer consultations with its neighbors and allies.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi met Russian President Vladimir Putin in St. Petersburg on Monday, Russia's state-run RIA news agency reported.

Putin said Russia hoped the Iranian people will overcome the "difficult period" and that peace will prevail.

He added that Russia would do everything in the interests of Iran and other countries in the region.

Araghchi said earlier that the trip — which follows visits to Pakistan and Oman — was intended to resume close consultations between Tehran and Moscow on regional and international developments and to strengthen bilateral ties, Iran's Mehr News Agency reported.

The Russia visit would provide a timely opportunity to review developments in the conflict and coordinate positions, he said, adding that such coordination is particularly important.

Previous talks had made some progress but failed to achieve their aims, he added, blaming Washington's excessive demands and misguided approaches.

Araghchi has said Iran's focus includes ways to ensure a safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz to benefit "all dear neighbors and the world", emphasizing that "our neighbors are our priority".

Oman's Foreign Minister Sayyid Badr bin Hamad Al Busaidi said in a post on X on Sunday that he had a "good discussion" on the Strait of Hormuz with Araghchi.

"As littoral states, we recognize our shared responsibility to the international community and the urgent humanitarian need to free the seafarers held for far too long," Al Busaidi said.

"Much diplomacy is required and practical solutions to ensure lasting freedom of navigation," he said.

Hope for peace

In a phone call on Sunday, Araghchi spoke with his French counterpart, Jean-Noel Barrot, to discuss the latest on the ceasefire and regional developments.

Barrot emphasized France's support for Iran's continued diplomatic approach and expressed hope that, through talks, peace could be established in the region.

On the same day, Araghchi also spoke with Saudi Arabia's Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud. They discussed regional developments and efforts to de-escalate tensions, according to the Saudi Foreign Ministry.

Meanwhile, US news website Axios reported that Tehran had given Washington a new proposal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.

In addition, US President Donald Trump was expected to hold a Situation Room meeting on Iran on Monday with his top national security and foreign policy team, Axios reported, citing three US officials.

A source said Trump's team would discuss the stalemate in negotiations and potential next steps.

Trump had earlier canceled the trip of special envoys Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff to Islamabad, telling Fox News that the 18-hour round-trip and the expense were excessive for what he described as an insufficient Iranian offer.

He said that if Iran wanted to talk,"they can come to us, or they can call us", as he reiterated Iran "cannot have a nuclear weapon, otherwise there's no reason to meet".

Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, the speaker of the Iranian Parliament, said in a post on X on Sunday that the United States has exhausted much of its leverage in an economic confrontation with Iran, saying that Tehran still holds significant "cards" to play.

Abdel Aziz Abu Hamad Aluwaisheg, assistant secretary-general for political and negotiation affairs of the Gulf Cooperation Council, said in a post on X on Monday that the Strait of Hormuz must not remain a "hostage to negotiations between the United States and Iran".

Agencies and Xinhua contributed to this story.