What did Masoud Pezeshkian tell Vladimir Putin about resolving Middle East problems without the United States?

Pezeshkian said the region was capable of resolving its problems without relying on the United States. He also said U.S. actions were encouraging greater multilateralism and closer cooperation between Russia, Iran and other countries subject to unilateral U.S. sanctions.

What did Russia say it was trying to achieve through its mediation efforts in the Middle East war?

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Moscow’s efforts were aimed at preventing the return of a large-scale war. Russia had been looking to mediate to help end the conflict, while talks between Tehran and Washington remained stalled.

Which areas of cooperation did Pezeshkian say Iran and Russia could expand?

Pezeshkian said he was confident both sides had the will to expand cooperation in science, industry, culture, security and military affairs. He made the remarks during his meeting with Putin on the sidelines of the Gas Exporting Countries Forum summit in Moscow.

Iran president tells Putin region can solve problems without US

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Summary

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian told Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow on Tuesday that the Middle East could resolve its problems without U.S. involvement. At their meeting on the sidelines of a Gas Exporting Countries Forum summit, Pezeshkian said U.S. actions were strengthening cooperation between Russia, Iran and other countries under unilateral U.S. sanctions. Putin said he hoped the regional situation would improve. Pezeshkian said both sides were willing to expand cooperation across several fields.

Key Facts

Pezeshkian said Iran-Russia cooperation could expand in science, industry, culture, security and military affairs.
Putin said he and Pezeshkian had discussed the regional situation in a one-on-one conversation and that it caused concern.
The Middle East war began on February 28 with U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov visited Iran last week for the first time since the war began and said Moscow’s efforts aimed to prevent a return to large-scale war.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Russia and Iran had never worked so closely.

By AFP

Published Oct 28, 2026 2:24 am KST

ussian President Vladimir Putin and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian attend a meeting at the Grand Kremlin Palace in Moscow, Russia, Tuesday. Reuters-Yonhap

MOSCOW — Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian told his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin on Tuesday that the Middle East can solve its problems without the involvement of the United States.

"I believe we are capable of resolving our problems in the region without relying on the United States," Pezeshkian said at a meeting with Putin on the sidelines of a summit of the Gas Exporting Countries Forum in Moscow.

"Our trade is expanding and growing day by day. U.S. actions in the region make it easier for U.S. to move towards greater multilateralism and strengthen our cooperation with you and other countries subject to unilateral U.S. sanctions," he told Putin.

Putin said he discussed the war with Pezeshkian, expressing hope that the situation would improve.

"We spoke earlier, one-on-one, about the situation in the region -- a situation that, undoubtedly, cannot help but cause concern," he said, adding that he hoped it would "evolve in a positive direction."

Pezeshkian said he was confident the will existed on both sides to expand cooperation in science, industry, culture, security and military affairs.

Moscow has been looking to mediate to help end the Middle East war which broke out on February 28 with U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran.

Last week Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov visited Iran for the first time since the war broke out, saying Russia's efforts were "aimed at preventing the return of a large-scale war," with talks stalled between Tehran and Washington.

Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi later said Russia and Iran have "never" worked so closely.

Negotiations between Washington and Tehran have been stalled for months, with both the U.S. and Israel threatening to resume their strikes on Iran.

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