Iran's foreign minister, Abbas Araghchi, traveled to Russia for talks with President Vladimir Putin as negotiations between Tehran and Washington over their ongoing war appear to have stalled. Araghchi said he planned to coordinate closely with Russian officials following mediation efforts by Pakistan and Oman.

The visit highlights Russia's delicate position in the conflict. While Moscow has condemned United States and Israeli strikes on Iran and provided intelligence and diplomatic backing, it has also sought to avoid deeper involvement that could jeopardize its relationships with Israel and Persian Gulf nations or affect its interests in Ukraine.

Fighting has disrupted global energy markets, with Iran restricting shipping through the Strait of Hormuz and the United States blockading Iranian ports. Although Russia has benefited from higher global energy prices, it has refrained from retaliating after reported attacks on Russian-linked facilities in Iran, underscoring its cautious balancing act in the widening crisis.