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Iranian officials have confirmed they are heading to Russia to discuss the ongoing talks with the United States over their nuclear program.
Some shit you should know before you read: If you’re unaware, last weekend US officials engaged in a high-stakes meeting with their Iranian counterparts in Oman, mediated by Omani Foreign Minister Sayyid Badr Al Busaidi. Though the discussions were primarily indirect—with each delegation in separate rooms—the talks concluded with a brief face-to-face exchange between US envoy Steve Witkoff and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi. Both sides described the dialogue as positive and constructive, and agreed to resume negotiations next Saturday in Oman. This diplomatic engagement unfolds against a backdrop of rising tension, particularly following Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s meeting with President Trump, where he said that any future US-Iran nuclear deal would have to follow the 2003 Libya disarmament model—complete dismantlement under direct US control. Netanyahu warned that anything short of this would lead to a military confrontation.
What’s going on now: In a notable development, Iranian officials have confirmed that Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi will travel to Moscow later this week for high-level consultations with Russian officials regarding the ongoing indirect negotiations with the United States over Iran’s nuclear program. The visit, described by Iran’s Foreign Ministry as “planned in advance,” will now include “consultations regarding the talks with the US” according to ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei.
Russia, a key ally of Tehran and signatory to the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), is expected to play an influential role in the discussions. Araghchi will meet with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov to exchange views on the trajectory of the negotiations and coordinate positions ahead of the next round of US-Iran talks.
This comes as the second round of negotiations is scheduled for Saturday, April 19, following what both sides characterized as “positive” and “constructive” discussions in Muscat, Oman. Although Iran has not yet confirmed the location of the next meeting, there’s talk it may take place in Rome, though Iran reportedly prefers Geneva. Regardless of where it takes place, Iran’s delegation said that the ongoing talks will continue to be mediated and indirect.
The Russia-Iran relationship: Russia and Iran have a longstanding and increasingly strategic military relationship, deepened significantly since the start of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Iran has supplied Russia with hundreds of Shahed-series attack drones, which Moscow has used extensively to target Ukrainian infrastructure. In exchange, Russia has provided Iran with air defense systems, helicopters, and possibly Su-35 fighter jets. Western officials have warned that this growing cooperation threatens regional stability and may enable Iran to bolster its own military capabilities using Russian technology and combat experience.
