Iran Turns to Putin for Breakthrough as Trump Proposes Phone Talks; Progress Remains Elusive (Comprehensive)
by Lee Hyunwoo
Published 27 Apr.2026 11:00(KST)
Updated 27 Apr.2026 13:55(KST)
Trump Cancels Negotiators' Dispatch
Iran Likely to Request Mediation from Putin
"Strategic Uncertainty, Concerns Over Deadlock"
Last weekend, a second attempt to resume talks between the United States and Iran fell through. The two sides failed to reach common ground on the core issue of nuclear weapons, prompting U.S. President Donald Trump to cancel the dispatch of a negotiating team. In response, Iran launched a full-scale diplomatic push, not only in the Middle East but also toward Russia, seeking mediation. Observers inside and outside Iran suggest that if the deadlock drags on and strategic uncertainty increases, Iran’s position may become even more disadvantageous.
Trump: "No Reason to Meet Unless They Give Up Nukes"
On the 26th (local time), President Trump said in a phone interview with Fox News regarding negotiations with Iran, "I will handle it by phone. If they want, they can call us," adding, "I will not send people (the U.S. negotiating team) on an 18-hour trip." He emphasized, "They cannot have nuclear weapons. Otherwise, there is no reason to meet." President Trump made these remarks immediately after suspending plans to send a negotiation team to Pakistan.
This suggests President Trump does not intend to cling to negotiations until a proposal addressing the main issue-the nuclear program-is prepared. On the same day, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, after visiting Oman, was set to travel to Russia but instead headed back to Pakistan.
He presented Pakistani officials with ceasefire demands, including the implementation of a new legal regime in the Strait of Hormuz, receipt of compensation for war damages, guarantees against renewed aggression by the warring parties, and the lifting of the maritime blockade on Iran. However, Iran’s Tasnim News Agency reported, "The nuclear issue, which the United States considers the most critical, was excluded." President Trump reiterated regarding the war with Iran, "We have achieved great results, and we will achieve a major victory."
Araghchi to Meet Putin…Will Russia Mediate?
With the attempt to resume the second round of talks with the United States having collapsed, Iran is rushing to engage with Russia. According to Russia’s TASS news agency, Minister Araghchi is once again heading from Pakistan to Russia and is scheduled to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin on the 27th. On the same day, Dmitry Peskov, press secretary of the Kremlin, stated at a briefing, "President Putin is scheduled to meet with Minister Araghchi on the 27th." Kazem Jalali, Iran’s ambassador to Russia, also noted, "Minister Araghchi plans to discuss the Middle East conflict, negotiation status, ceasefire, and the subsequent developments with Russian officials."
There is growing attention on whether Russia will emerge as an active mediator in the Iran conflict through this meeting. According to CNN, Russia proposed to the United States that it would assist in resolving the nuclear negotiations by helping to remove and dilute highly enriched uranium from Iran. However, the Trump Administration reportedly rejected this proposal.
While talks between the United States and Iran have collapsed, clashes between Israel and Hezbollah, the pro-Iranian armed faction in Lebanon, are intensifying again. According to Lebanon’s National News Agency (NNA), the Israeli military conducted airstrikes in southern Lebanon using fighter jets on this day. NNA reported that at least one person was killed and three wounded as a result of the airstrikes in Lebanon. In response, Hezbollah retaliated with a suicide drone attack targeting Israeli forces stationed in southern Lebanon. According to the Israeli military, one Israeli soldier was killed and six were injured in the attack. Both sides continue to exchange accusations, claiming the other violated the ceasefire agreement.
"Concerns Grow Over Iran’s 'Strategic Uncertainty'...Deadlock May Worsen Situation"
Inside and outside Iran, there is growing concern that a prolonged deadlock-neither negotiations nor military engagement with the United States-will inflict even greater economic damage. Analysts predict that if strategic uncertainty persists, economic pressure from the U.S. maritime blockade will intensify.
The New York Times (NYT) reported, "Major Iranian media outlets see ongoing strategic uncertainty-neither negotiating nor fighting with the United States-as even more dangerous than a short-term war," adding, "Within the next few months, Iran’s annual inflation could soar from 70% to over 120%. Disruptions in the production of petrochemicals and pharmaceuticals, along with mass layoffs, could put the Iranian regime at risk."
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