Putin calls Iran president, offers support after US talks fail

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Sunday held a phone conversation with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, offering Russia’s support for efforts to resolve the escalating Middle East crisis following the collapse of talks between Iran and the United States.

According to the Kremlin, Putin said he was ready to assist diplomatic efforts toward a settlement.

“Vladimir Putin emphasised his readiness to further facilitate the search for a political and diplomatic settlement to the conflict, and to mediate efforts to achieve a just and lasting peace in the Middle East,” the Kremlin said in its readout of the call, as reported by AFP.

The call came after Iran and the United States failed to reach an agreement on Sunday aimed at ending hostilities linked to the wider Middle East conflict, although there was no immediate resumption of fighting.

Despite the breakdown, world leaders reportedly urged both sides to continue pursuing diplomatic options.

A United States official said the delegation, including chief negotiators Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, left after marathon talks produced no significant breakthrough on the conflict involving Iran.

During a stopover at Ramstein Air Base in Germany, a US official travelling with Vice President JD Vance said no members of the team remained behind, despite earlier speculation that further negotiations could continue.

Iranian parliament speaker Mohammad Ghalibaf said Washington failed to build trust during the discussions.

“My colleagues in the Iranian delegation put forward constructive initiatives, but the other side was unable to gain the trust of the Iranian delegation,” he said in a post on X.

US and Israel attacked Iran on February 28, sparking retaliation from Tehran that has plunged the Middle East into conflict and shaken the global economy.