Iranian president urges return to truce, hails Russian support

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian pledged on Tuesday to match any US move to revive a June agreement designed to end their conflict, cautioning that diplomatic efforts could be jeopardized by Washington's pressure and threats. Prior to his meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin at the SCO summit in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, Pezeshkian expressed gratitude for Moscow's stance on the conflict.

Both nations, two of the most sanctioned countries globally, have significantly bolstered their military and trade partnerships during Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

During the summit, over a dozen leaders gathered, including China's Xi Jinping and India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi. US President Donald Trump, who has cautioned Russia and China against aiding Iran, threatened to punish Iran severely following their recent exchange of fire. In response, Pezeshkian stated that if the US returns to the deal, Iran would immediately reciprocate, according to the Iranian presidency's website.

The agreement aimed to pave the way for peace talks, but both sides have accused each other of breaching its terms. Pezeshkian warned that US pressure and threats could disrupt the diplomatic path.

Pezeshkian met Putin and expressed his appreciation, crediting Russia for its positions at every stage. Putin praised Iran's courage and resilience in fighting for its national interests. Despite ongoing tensions, Russia and Iran maintain their trade and economic relations from the previous year. The US vowed to continue its pressure campaign to cripple Tehran's economy, as the Middle East war commenced in late February with US and Israeli attacks on Iran, resulting in the death of former Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

Iran and the US have resumed exchanging fire, with the Strait of Hormuz being a significant point of contention. Iran has kept the waterway closed while asserting a commitment to the June deal, which called for its reopening if the US fulfilled its obligations. The SCO summit, held amid the Ukrainian conflict, did not address the war directly but saw Russian-Chinese ties strengthen and the SCO's evolving role in a multipolar world.