Iran says Rezaei-Putin talks focused on ending war, not a new initiative

A senior Iranian political-security source has rejected Western media reports about the Thursday meeting in Moscow between Supreme National Security Council (SNSC) Secretary Major General Mohsen Rezaei and Russian President Vladimir Putin, saying claims that Rezaei presented a new political initiative are "completely fabricated." The source, cited by Lebanese outlet Al-Mayadeen and Tehran-based Tasnim News Agency in reporting carried by Press TV, said the main focus of the talks was ending the war of aggression.

According to the source, Rezaei stated during the meeting that the Islamic Republic will not reopen the Strait of Hormuz until all seven conditions are fulfilled and that Tehran will not enter negotiations over that decision. The source added that Iran does not consider any steps toward advancing the diplomatic process worthwhile until every one of the seven conditions has been fully and simultaneously implemented. The position was described as consistent with repeated public statements by Rezaei that US responses to Tehran's demands have been unconvincing and that the strategic waterway will remain closed until Washington explicitly agrees to and acts on the conditions.

The clarification follows Rezaei's visit to the Kremlin in his capacity as SNSC Secretary and the Leader's representative, during which he delivered a message from the Leader of the Islamic Revolution, Ayatollah Seyyed Mojtaba Khamenei, to President Putin. The two sides discussed bilateral strategic relations, regional and international developments after the US-Israeli war on Iran, Moscow's support for ending the aggression, and plans to expand energy and transit cooperation, including the construction of gas pipelines from Russia to Iran.

Speaking after the meeting, which lasted more than three hours, Rezaei said the Leader had wanted the message delivered as soon as possible. Putin conveyed warm greetings to the Leader and condemned the bombing of Iran's nuclear facilities, describing the war as unjust. The Russian president reaffirmed Moscow's determination to expand relations with Tehran and pledged whatever assistance he could to help end the aggression. A substantial part of the talks covered developments in West Asia and the Persian Gulf, the region's postwar security architecture, and implementation of major agreements under the 20-year comprehensive strategic partnership treaty. Discussions also addressed the International North-South Transport Corridor and efforts to develop Iran into a regional gas hub, meeting domestic needs while distributing Russian gas to neighboring markets.

The meeting, which followed a telephone conversation earlier in the week, was described as underscoring the importance of deepening strategic ties between Tehran and Moscow to promote regional stability and counter unilateralism. Rezaei was accompanied by SNSC Deputy Secretary Ali Bagheri Kani and Iran's Ambassador to Russia Kazem Jalali, while Presidential Aide Yuri Ushakov and the head of the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Russian Defense Ministry joined Putin. According to Mehr News, the source's account was reported through Al-Mayadeen, Tasnim and Press TV.