Putin Offers Solution to Iran-US Negotiations Stalemate

Russian President Vladimir Putin offered mediation between Iran and the United States last week, but during his Friday phone call with his American counterpart, he found a solution to the negotiations' stalemate.

Since the US and Israel launched their first strikes on Iran at the end of February, attempts to reach an agreement ending the crisis have collided with the issue of highly enriched uranium stockpiles.

On Saturday, Russian news agency "Interfax" quoted the Kremlin as saying that Putin presented Trump with Iran's position on a potential settlement for the Middle East conflict, supported by Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian.

The Russian agency reported that Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov stated: "In coordination with the Iranian president, Putin conveyed to Trump the Iranian side's viewpoint regarding a possible resolution of the conflict."

The two leaders held a phone conversation lasting approximately one and a half hours, which included a Russian proposal to resolve the crisis over "Iran's enriched uranium," which Washington demands Tehran dispose of.

Bوتين informed Trump that "Moscow's offer to transfer Iran's enriched uranium to Russia remains on the table."

Yuri Ushakov, the Russian presidential aide, told journalists: "Putin specifically emphasized that diplomatic options regarding the Iranian file are by no means exhausted, as it is possible, and indeed necessary, to reach an agreement with Tehran through negotiations."

A friendly relationship
According to the Russian official: "Trump immediately warmly congratulated Putin on his birthday, wishing him success and good health. He also made sure to convey greetings from his wife Melania," and "both expressed satisfaction with the communication channels established between the two countries through presidential administrations, intelligence agencies, and other relevant bodies."

Trump reached an agreement with Putin regarding diesel supplies, a crucial matter for the US congressional midterm elections, where rising fuel prices led to a decline in Republican popularity ahead of the most significant test for the presidency's future over the next two years.

Regarding the war in Ukraine, Putin informed Trump that Russia's position on the goals and objectives of its military operation has not changed, and that it remains ready to achieve a political and diplomatic settlement that ensures permanent and sustainable peace.

Ushakov said the possibility of resuming trilateral talks involving the United States and Ukraine was discussed during the previous conversation between the presidents, with the potential for direct negotiations to resume after the Russian State Duma elections, but he noted that "the situation is different now."

He clarified: "Kyiv's attempts to obstruct parliamentary elections in Russia effectively undermined the possibility of immediate negotiation resumption, and now, as the President said, we will consider when these negotiations can be resumed."