Iran's Security Chief Delivers Khamenei's Message to Putin Amidst Escalating Regional Tensions

In Moscow, Russian President Vladimir Putin held discussions with Iran's security chief, Mohsen Rezaei, focusing on regional security as diplomatic efforts intensify to resolve the conflict involving the United States and Israel against Iran. During their meeting on Thursday, Rezaei conveyed a letter from Iran's Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, to President Putin, as reported by Iran's state broadcaster Press TV. Rezaei stated that the talks addressed regional security arrangements and Russia's commitment to supporting an end to what he described as US "aggression" towards Iran. "Important regional issues were discussed with Putin and significant conversations took place regarding the post-war period and regional security arrangements," Rezaei commented. The discussions also encompassed plans to enhance energy cooperation, including the potential construction of gas pipelines from Russia to Iran. Rezaei, who serves as the secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council, emphasized that Khamenei intended for the message to be delivered to Putin promptly. The trip to Moscow had been scheduled for nearly a month prior but was delayed due to ongoing assessments of the military situation in the region. The specific contents of Khamenei's message were not disclosed. Earlier, Khamenei had asserted in a written statement on Wednesday that there should be no inclination towards submission to the US and called for a stronger Iran to achieve "absolute deterrence." Rezaei's meeting with Putin occurred as Qatar escalates its diplomatic initiatives to end the war on Iran, with concerns rising about potential renewed US attacks following the midterm elections. The US midterm elections on Tuesday saw the Republican Party, led by President Donald Trump, lose control of both the House of Representatives and the Senate, attributed in part to public dissatisfaction over rising prices linked to the war on Iran. Diplomatic efforts to end the conflict have centered on critical issues such as the future status of the Strait of Hormuz, the US blockade of Iranian ports, sanctions against Iran, and the resumption of negotiations regarding Iran's nuclear program. Rezaei indicated on Thursday that Tehran would not engage in talks with the US concerning the war's conclusion or the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz until Washington fulfills its seven stated demands. "On the issue of diplomacy, we have announced seven conditions to the Americans. As long as they do not execute our seven conditions, we will neither open the Strait of Hormuz nor have negotiations," he stated. Rezaei also confirmed that Putin reiterated Russia's readiness to support efforts to end the war. Last month, Russian news agencies reported that Putin had assured Iran's President Masoud Pezeshkian of Russia's commitment to "do everything" possible to achieve this goal. The discussions in the Kremlin also covered the development of a gas pipeline connecting Russia and Iran, intended to alleviate Iran's gas shortages and facilitate Russian gas sales to neighboring countries. Rezaei further reported briefing Putin on a late October meeting in Tehran involving Iran, Saudi Arabia, Turkiye, and Pakistan, which the Russian leader reportedly welcomed. "Like our Chinese friends, we believe that there should be regional arrangements and that foreign countries should not interfere in the security of the region," Rezaei remarked. The Kremlin had not yet issued its official account of the meeting, which took place in the Senate Palace, according to Russia's TASS news agency. In parallel, Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi engaged in phone conversations with his counterparts in Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Qatar, Turkiye, and Jordan, focusing on regional developments and peace initiatives, as reported by Iranian state media. Russia and Iran, both subjected to significant Western sanctions, have been strengthening their diplomatic and military ties in recent years. A comprehensive strategic partnership treaty, covering trade, military cooperation, science, culture, and education, was signed by the two nations in January 2025 and took effect in October of that year. However, unlike Russia's agreement with North Korea, this treaty does not include a mutual defense clause. On Saturday, Iranian army spokesman Mohammad Akraminia announced that Iran had acquired Russian Su-35 fighter jets and anticipated their delivery after the conclusion of the war. He informed the Iranian news site Tabnak that the aircraft were originally scheduled for delivery before the conflict began and that all necessary preparations and pilot training had been completed.