Russian President Vladimir Putin held talks with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi in St. Petersburg on Monday (April 27) and told him he hoped the Iranian people would weather what he described as a "difficult period" and that peace would soon prevail.

Russia has offered to mediate to try to help restore calm to the Middle East following U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran, which Moscow has condemned. It has also repeatedly offered to store Iran's enriched uranium as a way of defusing tensions, an offer the United States has not taken up.

Iran last year sealed a 20-year strategic partnership agreement with Moscow, Russia is building two new nuclear units at Bushehr, the site of Iran's only nuclear power plant, and Iran supplied Russia with Shahed drones ‌for ⁠use against Ukraine.

Araqchi said relations between Russia and Iran would continue to strengthen and thanked Putin for Moscow's support, the state RIA news agency reported.

DESCRIPCIÓN DE IMÁGENES

Putin pledges support for Iran in talks with Araqchi in Russia, says he wants peace soon

VIDEO SHOWS: RUSSIAN PRESIDENT VLADIMIR PUTIN AND IRANIAN FOREIGN MINISTER ABBAS ARAQCHI AT MEETING / PUTIN SAYING RUSSIA AND IRAN PRESERVE THEIR STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP, SAYING HE HOPES PEACES WILL COME SOON / ARAQCHI SAYING IRAN THANKS RUSSIA FOR SUPPORT

EDITORS PLEASE NOTE: RESENDING WITH ADJUSTED TRANSLATION IN SHOTS 11 AND 13

SHOWS: ST. PETERSBURG, RUSSIA (APRIL 27, 2026) (RUSSIAN POOL - Access all)

1. RUSSIAN PRESIDENT VLADIMIR PUTIN, IRANIAN FOREIGN MINISTER ABBAS ARAQCHI AND DELEGATIONS TAKING SEATS

2. TALKS IN PROGRESS

3. (SOUNDBITE) (Russian) RUSSIAN PRESIDENT, VLADIMIR PUTIN, SAYING:

"Last week I got a message from Supreme Leader of Iran."

4. ARAQCHI NODDING

5. (SOUNDBITE) (Russian) RUSSIAN PRESIDENT, VLADIMIR PUTIN, SAYING:

"I would like you to convey my most sincere words of gratitude and to confirm that Russia, same as Iran, intends to continue our strategic relations."

6. ARAQCHI LISTENING

7. (SOUNDBITE) (Russian) RUSSIAN PRESIDENT, VLADIMIR PUTIN, SAYING:

"We see how courageously and heroically the Iranian people are fighting for their independence and sovereignty. (OVER CLOSE UP) Of course, we very much hope that, based on this courage and will for independence, the Iranian people will, under the leadership of a new leader, make it through this difficult period of trials and that peace will follow."

8. ARAQCHI LISTENING

9. (SOUNDBITE) (Russian) RUSSIAN PRESIDENT, VLADIMIR PUTIN, SAYING:

"From our side, we will do everything that is in your interest, in the interests of all nations in the region, so that peace is reached as soon as possible, you know our position very well."

10. PUTIN AT TALKS

11. (SOUNDBITE) (Farsi) IRANIAN FOREIGN MINISTER, ABBAS ARAQCHI, SAYING (ACCORDING TO OFFICIAL TRANSLATION) (STARTS OVER WIDE SHOT):

"I was asked to confirm during this visit that Russian-Iranian relations is a strategic partnership and will remain that way moving forward."

12. PUTIN LISTENING

13. (SOUNDBITE) (Farsi) IRANIAN FOREIGN MINISTER, ABBAS ARAQCHI, SAYING (ACCORDING TO OFFICIAL TRANSLATION) (STARTS OVER WIDE SHOT):

"It was proven that Iran has friends and allies, such as Russia who stand by Iran during difficult times and support Iran. We thank you for firm position in support of Iran."

14. TALKS IN PROGRESS