Iranian foreign minister meets Vladimir Putin amid stalled peace talks

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi arrived in Russia on Monday for talks with President Vladimir Putin regarding the regional conflict in the Middle East. This visit follows a failed round of peace negotiations in Islamabad, which Iran blames on excessive United States demands. President Donald Trump, however, stated that negotiations remain possible if Iran agrees to refrain from developing nuclear weapons. The conflict, which began on February 28 with joint U.S.-Israeli strikes, led to a ceasefire after 40 days of fighting, though no formal peace agreement has been reached. Tensions persist over issues such as uranium enrichment and maritime security in the Strait of Hormuz. Iran continues to seek international support, with its ambassador to Russia emphasizing a unified front against Western influence. Financial markets have reacted negatively to the diplomatic stalemate, noting increased oil prices and market volatility.