On Tuesday, Russian President Vladimir Putin engaged in discussions regarding Iran’s nuclear program with Sultan Haitham bin Tariq al-Said, the visiting leader of Oman, according to a Kremlin official. Oman has been acting as a mediator between Iran and the United States, as President Donald Trump aims for an agreement to limit Iran’s nuclear activities, which Washington suspects are intended for weapon development.
Kremlin foreign policy aide Yury Ushakov was quoted by Interfax stating, ‘We talked about the progress of negotiations between Iranian and American representatives.’ He added, ‘We will see what the outcome will be. We maintain close communication with our Iranian counterparts and provide assistance where possible.’
Trump has issued threats of military action against Iran unless a deal is finalized, while Iran asserts it is not pursuing nuclear weapons. In January, Russia entered into a strategic partnership treaty with Iran and is also working to enhance its relationship with the Trump administration. Moscow plays a role in the nuclear discussions with Iran as a signatory to a previous agreement that Trump withdrew from in 2018. Russia has declared that any U.S. military intervention against Iran would be unlawful.
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During a televised meeting, Putin expressed to the sultan that Russian energy firms are keen on fostering ties with Oman. This meeting marked the second occasion within a week that Putin has met with a Middle Eastern leader, following a visit from the emir of Qatar on April 17, and a visit from Iran’s foreign minister the previous week.
