Published On 4/28/2026
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Last update: 05:38 (Mecca time)
Western reports revealed Iranian demands put forward by Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi during his visit – yesterday, Monday – to Russia, in an effort to resolve the pending negotiations with Washington, indicating possible concessions on controversial issues, most notably the nuclear file.
Araghchi’s meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin – which was held inside the Boris Yeltsin Presidential Library overlooking the Neva River – is seen as one of the most important meetings since the announcement of a ceasefire between the United States and Iran on April 8.
The meeting comes at a time when Iran presented its latest proposals to the United States, which is to open the Strait of Hormuz in exchange for postponing talks on its nuclear program.
There was no clear information available about the content of the consultations that Araghchi conducted with Putin. However, the British newspaper The Telegraph referred to an Iranian demand to obtain the Russian S-400 air defense system, which is an urgent demand after the American strikes revealed gaps in Iran’s air defenses and destroyed a large part of its infrastructure.
The newspaper also talked about various Iranian political proposals regarding controversial issues with Washington, different from what was discussed in Islamabad, or what the conservative wing inside Iran knows, according to what it said.
“secret channel”
According to the newspaper, Russian President Vladimir Putin represents a “secret channel” to discuss potential concessions that could cause severe political damage inside Iran, if they are leaked or discussed publicly before offering mutual compromise solutions.
The newspaper quoted an Iranian official as saying that the Russian President could be a security guarantor for any potential agreement reached through Moscow, adding that consultations with the Russian President and requesting his mediation are part of Tehran’s latest plans before responding to the Americans.
Red lines
According to Tehran-based political analyst Rahman Ghahramanpour, Araghchi brought “broad proposals, conditions, and red lines that are the subject of internal consensus,” in anticipation of the new round of negotiations.
The analyst added that Iran linked the negotiations to lifting the US naval blockade, and perhaps to recognizing its right to enrich uranium.
He also believes that Araghchi’s visit aims to deliver this message and this decision to the United States through Putin, instead of presenting it directly from Tehran.
These ideas include concessions on uranium enrichment levels, inspection regimes, and reopening the Strait of Hormuz, concessions that would spark an immediate reaction from hardliners in Tehran if they were revealed publicly.
