Iran Looks to Russia Before Key Nuclear Negotiations with U.S.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi is set to travel to Moscow for high-level discussions with Russian officials ahead of the next round of nuclear negotiations with the United States, scheduled for April 19 in Oman.

The visit was confirmed by a spokesperson for Iran’s Foreign Ministry on April 14, and reported by The Kyiv Independent.

This diplomatic push follows the first round of indirect talks between Iran and the U.S., which took place in Oman on April 12. The discussions marked a cautious attempt to address growing concerns over Iran’s nuclear ambitions, amid warnings from Washington that military options remain on the table if no diplomatic breakthrough is achieved.

Mediated by Oman, the initial talks involved shuttle diplomacy—delegates from both nations remained in separate rooms while Omani officials relayed messages back and forth. This indirect format is reportedly preferred by Tehran, despite U.S. calls for direct dialogue.

Russia has long signaled its willingness to play a role in easing tensions between Iran and the U.S.

“Russia is ready to make every effort to contribute to a peaceful, diplomatic solution,” Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said on April 7.

The Moscow visit also comes against the backdrop of strengthening ties between Russia and Iran, particularly since the escalation of the war in Ukraine. Iran has supplied Russia with thousands of Shahed drones and short-range ballistic missiles used in strikes against Ukrainian infrastructure.

In January, the two nations formalized their growing partnership by signing a strategic cooperation agreement, deepening collaboration across defense, energy, finance, and transportation sectors.