After the overnight withdrawal of the U.S. negotiators from Islamabad, Russian President Vladimir Putin spoke by phone with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and offered to try to mediate in the situation. The Kremlin readout of the call stated: “Vladimir Putin emphasized his readiness to further facilitate the search for a political and diplomatic settlement to the conflict, and to mediate efforts to achieve a just and lasting peace in the Middle East.”
Pezeshkian had told Putin: “Iran is fully prepared to reach a balanced and fair agreement that guarantees lasting peace and security in the region.” He added that a deal would be achievable “if Washington adheres to international legal frameworks.” However, the main obstacle to reaching an agreement is “double standards” by the U.S.
Putin cited the double standards of the West and stressed the need to respect Iran’s national sovereignty and territorial integrity. He also backed the demand for compensation over damages caused by recent military attacks and the need for long-term security guarantees to prevent their recurrence.
