Iran is seeking military and diplomatic assistance from Russia, according to an interview with Tehran University associate professor Foad Izadi published by Al Jazeera. The report states that Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has arrived in Russia for meetings with President Vladimir Putin and other senior leaders.

Izadi told Al Jazeera that Iran’s air defense system is not at the desired level, and the country hopes Russia can help strengthen it. He also emphasized that Russia’s political backing as a permanent member of the UN Security Council is vital for Iran. Izadi noted that Russia recently vetoed a Bahrain–United States proposal, which reinforced Tehran’s interest in maintaining Moscow’s support in international forums.

The report highlights that Iran–Russia military cooperation is longstanding, dating back to the period following Iran’s 1979 Islamic Revolution, when Tehran began viewing Moscow as a key partner in military technology.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stated that peace talks in Islamabad failed due to what he described as excessive demands from the United States. He made the remarks to local journalists after arriving in St. Petersburg, Russia, where he said he would discuss the Middle East conflict with Russia, a key ally.

Araghchi explained that the discussions in Islamabad involved mediators and included talks on the conditions under which further negotiations might continue. He also highlighted Iran’s ongoing blockade in the Strait of Hormuz, calling safe passage through the strategic waterway a global concern. The minister urged neighboring countries, including Oman, to work closely together in their mutual interests.

Araghchi added that further discussions with Oman regarding the Strait of Hormuz are planned, signaling continued diplomatic engagement on regional maritime security.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has handed Pakistan a 'red line' list intended for the United States, according to Iran’s state media Fars. The report said the list includes issues related to nuclear matters and the Strait of Hormuz. The message exchange was described as unrelated to any Iran–U.S. negotiations and aimed instead at clarifying Iran’s regional positions and boundaries.

Fars added no further details about the content or implications of the list. Araghchi is currently in St. Petersburg, where he is scheduled to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin. Over the weekend, he held meetings in Pakistan and Oman with key intermediaries. Upon arriving in Russia, he told Iran’s state news agency IRNA that discussions in Pakistan focused on conditions under which Iran–U.S. talks might resume.

The development highlights Iran’s ongoing diplomatic activity across the region, involving Pakistan, Oman, and Russia, as it seeks to define its stance amid complex regional and international dynamics.

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has claimed to have neutralized a large number of unexploded bombs and missiles left after recent clashes with the United States and Israel in the country’s northern region. According to the Tasnim News Agency, the operation took place in Zanjan province, where more than 9,500 bomb fragments, several unexploded rockets, and missiles were reportedly identified and defused.

The IRGC stated that the weapons, dropped during airstrikes, included three U.S.-made GBU-57 bunker-buster bombs weighing 2,000 pounds each, as well as various LB-65, LB-84, LB-85, and LB-86 rockets launched from F-15, F-16, and F-35 aircraft. The corps also reported destroying 52 rockets and safely recovering over 10 missiles, which were later handed over to relevant authorities.

According to the IRGC, these munitions were intercepted by Iran’s air defense systems before being recovered and neutralized during a ceasefire period.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi arrived in St. Petersburg on Monday to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin. Speaking to reporters upon arrival, Araghchi said his visit aims to continue close consultations between Tehran and Moscow on regional and international issues. He confirmed that the meeting with Putin will focus on the current war situation and provide an opportunity to review the latest developments.

Araghchi expressed confidence that the discussions and coordination between the two countries would be particularly significant. According to the report, key decisions may emerge regarding diplomatic progress, possible solutions, and future steps to end the ongoing war with the United States and Israel. Before traveling to Russia, Araghchi had visited Islamabad, where he presented a framework for a permanent end to the Iran war to Pakistan’s top leadership.

The talks in St. Petersburg are expected to reinforce Iran-Russia cooperation on regional stability and diplomatic efforts related to the conflict.

The United States has directed 38 ships to return or change course as part of a naval blockade on Iran. The announcement was made by the US Central Command (CENTCOM) through a post on social media platform X, stating that the move is part of ongoing operations restricting maritime access to Iranian ports.

CENTCOM explained that the blockade aims to limit Iran’s maritime movements, preventing vessels from entering or leaving Iranian waters. The command confirmed that US forces continue to enforce maritime restrictions around Iran’s ports as part of broader efforts to maintain control over regional sea routes.

The report, citing Middle East Eye, did not specify the duration of the blockade or the types of ships affected, leaving the broader implications for regional trade and security unclear.

Russia’s envoy to international organizations in Vienna, Mikhail Ulyanov, stated that the United States should abandon its approach of issuing ultimatums and threats if it wants to advance peace talks with Iran. He made the remarks on social media platform X, emphasizing that Washington’s reliance on military pressure and sanctions to drive negotiations would not succeed with Tehran.

According to Ulyanov, the best way forward for the United States in the current situation is to stop using blackmail, ultimatums, and deadlines. His comments come amid ongoing diplomatic efforts involving Iran, Russia, and Western powers to stabilize the Middle East and address tensions surrounding Iran’s international relations.

The statement reflects Moscow’s position that coercive tactics are counterproductive in dealing with Iran and that dialogue should be based on mutual respect rather than threats or pressure.

Iran has offered a new proposal to the United States aimed at reopening the Strait of Hormuz and halting ongoing conflict. According to a report by US outlet Axios published on Sunday, Iran expressed readiness to reopen the strategic waterway but attached a key condition: the suspension of the next phase of nuclear negotiations. The report cited one US official and two additional sources familiar with the matter.

The development comes as Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi recently visited Pakistan and Oman and is now heading to Russia. The timing of the condition’s disclosure coincides with these diplomatic visits, suggesting Tehran’s active engagement in regional diplomacy. The Axios report was also referenced by Reuters.

The proposal underscores Iran’s attempt to link regional stability with progress in nuclear diplomacy, though it remains unclear how Washington will respond to the condition or whether talks will proceed under the new terms.

Iran has executed a man convicted of attacking security forces, according to the semi-official Tasnim News Agency. The executed individual, identified as Amer Ramesh, was arrested during an anti-terror operation in southeastern Iran and later found guilty on multiple charges, including armed rebellion, bomb attacks, and ambushes on military personnel.

Authorities stated that Ramesh was a member of the Sunni militant group Jaish al-Adl, which operates in Sistan-Baluchestan, one of Iran’s poorest regions. The area has long experienced violent clashes between security forces and various armed groups.

The execution underscores ongoing instability in Sistan-Baluchestan, where security operations and militant activities continue to challenge state control.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi is returning to Islamabad after a visit to Muscat, Oman, before continuing to Moscow. Iran’s Foreign Ministry confirmed the trip, noting that Araghchi will make a brief stop in Pakistan’s capital for discussions before departing for Russia. Diplomatic sources said his private aircraft, named Meraj, departed from Tehran and is expected to land at Noor Khan Airbase near Islamabad within two hours.

A portion of the Iranian delegation that participated in earlier discussions had returned to Tehran but is expected to rejoin Araghchi in Islamabad tonight with high-level government directives concerning efforts to end the ongoing conflict. During his previous visit to Islamabad, Araghchi met Pakistan’s army chief, deputy prime minister and foreign minister, and the prime minister to discuss bilateral relations and regional developments.

Araghchi stated on social media that his visits to Islamabad, Muscat, and Moscow are part of Iran’s broader diplomatic coordination with allied nations.

Iran has submitted documentation of attacks on civilians to the International Criminal Court (ICC) and several international organizations, including the International Committee of the Red Cross. Pir-Hossein Kolivand, head of the Iranian Red Crescent Society, confirmed the submission and said the ICC prosecutor has accepted the materials as formal evidence. The cases are now being reviewed under international humanitarian law.

Kolivand added that following ongoing discussions, the Red Cross has also been involved in the process. The submission comes amid reports of heavy casualties in Iran from US-Israel attacks. According to Iran’s Ministry of Health, more than 2,000 people have been killed, including 216 children, while over 26,000 others have been injured, among them 1,767 children.

The documentation and ICC review mark a significant step in Iran’s effort to pursue international legal action regarding the civilian toll of the attacks.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian stated that Tehran will not engage in any negotiations under pressure, threats, or sanctions. He made the remarks during a conversation with Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, according to Iran’s state news agency IRNA.

Pezeshkian noted that diplomatic processes face various obstacles that complicate dialogue. He emphasized that as long as the United States continues its hostile actions and strategic pressure, rebuilding trust and advancing dialogue will face serious challenges.

The statement reflects Iran’s firm stance on maintaining independence in its diplomatic decisions amid ongoing tensions with the United States and regional complexities.

Iran’s state news agency IRNA reported that Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi may travel to Pakistan again after completing his visit to Oman and before departing for Russia. The report stated that part of the Iranian delegation has already returned to Tehran under a foreign ministry plan to discuss ceasefire and related issues.

According to IRNA, the delegation members are expected to rejoin Araghchi in Islamabad on Sunday night, though no details were provided about the specific topics or participants of the upcoming discussions. The report noted that Araghchi had concluded a previous visit to Pakistan only a few hours earlier, describing his talks with Pakistani officials as very productive.

Araghchi also commented that it remains unclear whether the United States is genuinely sincere about diplomacy, though no further context was given in the report.

Iran’s armed forces have issued a strong warning to the United States against launching any new military aggression. In a statement released by the Khatam al-Anbiya Headquarters, the Iranian military pledged to maintain control over the strategic Strait of Hormuz, a key maritime route in the region.

According to the statement published by the state-run Tasnim news agency, Iran cautioned that if U.S. forces continue what it described as “blockade, piracy, and maritime banditry” in the area, they will face a powerful counter-response from Iran’s armed forces. The statement added that Iran remains prepared and determined to deliver a more severe blow to what it called American-Zionist enemies in the event of another act of aggression.

The Iranian military further emphasized that it will continue monitoring the movements and activities of hostile forces in the region while maintaining management and control over the Strait of Hormuz.

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has announced that controlling the Strait of Hormuz is its “ultimate strategy” in the event of a potential conflict with the United States. The statement was released through the IRGC’s official Telegram channel on April 26, 2026, emphasizing the strategic importance of the narrow waterway for global oil and gas supplies.

According to the IRGC, maintaining control over the Strait of Hormuz would provide Iran with a significant strategic advantage and serve as a deterrent against the United States and its allies in the region. The statement described this control as central to the Islamic Republic’s defensive and deterrent posture.

The report, citing Al Jazeera, highlights the IRGC’s focus on the geopolitical leverage of the Strait, which remains one of the world’s most critical maritime chokepoints for energy transport.