Politics
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has told Russian President Vladimir Putin that countries in the Middle East are fully capable of resolving their regional problems without American intervention.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has told Russian President Vladimir Putin that countries in the Middle East are fully capable of resolving their regional problems without American intervention. In an interview with Iran’s state news agency IRNA following his participation in a meeting of the Gas Exporting Countries Forum (GECF) in Moscow, Pezeshkian said that the discussions covered energy and gas in detail and resulted in important agreements. During his visit, the Iranian president also held separate meetings with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Qatar’s Emir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani. During his meeting with Putin, Pezeshkian emphasised, “I firmly believe that we are capable of resolving all our regional problems without relying on the United States. American actions are creating opportunities for us to expand multilateral relations and strengthen cooperation with countries that are also subject to unilateral US sanctions.”
The Iranian president added that both countries had a strong political will to expand bilateral cooperation in science, industry, culture, security and military affairs. During the meeting, Russian President Vladimir Putin said he had held detailed discussions with his Iranian counterpart on the current regional situation and the war. “We held a one-on-one meeting in the context of the regional situation, which is undoubtedly a matter of concern. I hope the situation will move in a positive direction,” Putin said. Meanwhile, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei has strongly criticised recent statements by US President Donald Trump concerning the memorandum of understanding reached between Iran and the United States in Islamabad. Baghaei said Trump’s attitude reflected Washington’s “disrespectful treatment of diplomacy.”
In a post on the social media platform X, the Iranian spokesperson said Trump’s admission that he had never believed in the agreement and regarded it as a waste of time had exposed the “hollow reality” of American diplomatic commitments. Baghaei accused Washington of repeatedly reneging on its promises, saying that the United States rejects its international obligations whenever they conflict with its interests. He also criticised European countries for failing to hold the United States accountable, writing, “There can be no justification for agreements being abandoned, nor can international law be applied selectively. No political propaganda can absolve Washington of its accountability.”
Meanwhile, diplomatic efforts to end the ongoing war between the United States, Israel and Iran have intensified. Qatari mediators have presented Tehran with a draft proposal for a new agreement aimed at finding an acceptable path toward ending the conflict. According to an official familiar with the negotiations, the proposal submitted to Iran is currently under review, and Tehran is expected to respond by the end of this week. Reuters reported that Qatari mediators presented the new proposal to Iran on Sunday. However, the terms of the proposed agreement and its key provisions have not yet been made public. The official said concerns had also been raised ahead of Sunday's meeting in Tehran that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu might order renewed attacks on Iran later this week. Qatar's latest initiative comes as diplomatic contacts continue in an effort to halt the war and ease regional tensions. Attention is now focused on Iran's response, although it remains unclear whether Tehran will accept the proposed agreement or seek amendments to its terms.
