Iran's flurry of diplomacy continues in Russia, as Trump insists U.S. has 'the cards'

Iran's flurry of diplomacy continues in Russia, as Trump reviews Iran's latest proposal Updated April 27, 20263:35 PM ET Originally published April 27, 20267:32 AM ET By NPR Staff Russian President Vladimir Putin (right) shakes hands with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi during their meeting at the Boris Yeltsin Presidential Library in St. Petersburg, Russia, on Monday. Dmitry Lovetsky/AFP via Getty Images hide caption toggle caption Dmitry Lovetsky/AFP via Getty Images The Iranian foreign minister on Monday arrived in Russia, where President Vladimir Putin voiced strong support for Iran in its war with the U.S. and Israel. The visit comes as countries meeting at the United Nations again called to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, and as the Trump administration discussed the latest Iranian proposal to end both Iran's closure of the strait and the U.S. naval blockade on Iranian ports. Middle East conflict Born in south Lebanon, displaced to Beirut, two grandmothers reflect on Israeli invasions While meeting Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi in St. Petersburg, Russia, Putin said he received a message last week from Iran's supreme leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, according to Russia's state news agency Tass and Iran's semiofficial Fars, without detailing what the message said. Putin told Araghchi to convey his "gratitude for this message and best wishes for his health and well-being," Tass said. The Trump administration says that Khamenei was injured early in the joint military campaign launched by the U.S. and Israel on Feb. 28. Sponsor Message The Iranian people are fighting "courageously and heroically" for their sovereignty, Tass quoted Putin as saying. The visit follows a whirlwind weekend of diplomacy, with Iran seeking to gain political leverage and foreign backing as talks with the U.S. remain on hold. But missing from this diplomatic flurry is any sign of a meeting between Washington and Tehran. Last week, the Iranian foreign minister visited Islamabad and President Trump said he would send a team there for talks. But Araghchi left Pakistan on Saturday and Trump canceled the U.S. delegation's trip. Araghchi then went to Oman — which is situated directly across the Strait of Hormuz from Iran — and met Sultan Haitham bin Tariq Al and the Omani foreign minister. The Strait of Hormuz is a key shipping passage where about one-fifth of the world's oil and natural gas, as well as other goods, transited before the war. But traffic is largely at a standstill, as Iran tries to exert control over the strait and the U.S. imposes a naval blockade on Iranian ports, deepening a global energy crisis. As the only countries with shorelines along the Strait of Hormuz, "our focus included ways to ensure safe transit that is to benefit of all dear neighbors and the world," Araghchi said on social media of his meetings in Oman. "Our neighbors are our priority." Sponsor Message Omani Foreign Minister Badr Albusaidi said he and Araghchi had a good discussion on the Strait of Hormuz. As coastal states, "we recognize our shared responsibility to the international community and the urgent humanitarian need to free the seafarers held for far too long," he wrote. "Much diplomacy is required and practical solutions to ensure lasting freedom of navigation." Araghchi also spoke by phone with the foreign ministers of Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Egypt. From Oman, he ping-ponged back to Pakistan on Sunday, and then on Monday Araghchi arrived in Russia. In this…

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