Trump Seeks Russian Mediation on Iran’s Nuclear Program and Proxy Forces

In a significant diplomatic move, U.S. President Donald Trump has asked Russian President Vladimir Putin to help mediate discussions with Iran regarding its nuclear program and regional proxy forces. This request was made during a phone call between the two leaders on February 12.
Sources familiar with the matter have stated that Trump proposed that Moscow play a central role in facilitating negotiations between the U.S. and Iran. The report highlights that discussions about Russia’s involvement in diplomatic talks with Tehran were also held between U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov during their meeting in Saudi Arabia on February 18.
Further, just days after these talks, Lavrov visited Tehran, where he briefed Iranian officials, including Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, on the outcomes of the discussions with Washington. Lavrov emphasized that Moscow was prepared to help resolve the complex issues surrounding Iran’s nuclear ambitions and its involvement in regional conflicts, should both the U.S. and Iran engage in negotiations.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov echoed the commitment to diplomacy, stating, “The United States and Iran should resolve all problems through negotiations. Moscow is ready to do everything in its power to achieve this.”
The U.S. seeks to address several pressing issues with Iran, including its nuclear activities and support for proxy forces in the Middle East, while aiming to avoid military conflict. Moscow’s involvement could signal a potential shift in how international powers engage with Iran, as tensions between Tehran and Washington continue to grow.