Russian President Vladimir Putin held talks with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi in St Petersburg on April 27, the first visit by a senior Iranian official to Russia since the outbreak of the US-Iran war on February 28, according to details released by the Kremlin. 

The meeting took place at the Presidential Library and lasted around two hours, with most of the discussion held behind closed doors in what is understood to be a back-channel meeting between US President Donald Trump and Putin acting as liaison. 

Putin said he had received a message the previous week from Iran's new Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, and asked Araghchi to convey his thanks and confirm that Russia intended to continue strategic relations with Iran.

"We see how courageously and heroically the people of Iran are fighting for their independence, for their sovereignty," Putin said, expressing hope that the Iranian people would come through the difficult period and that peace would be achieved. Russia would do everything in its interests to bring about peace in the Middle East as quickly as possible, the Russian president said.

Araghchi thanked Putin for his condolences over the death of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and for his congratulations on the election of Iran's new leader. The Iranian leadership had asked him to confirm during the visit that Iran-Russia relations represented a strategic partnership at the highest level and would continue on that basis, the foreign minister said.

"It has been proven to the whole world that the Iranian people, through their resistance and courage, have been able to resist the American attacks and American aggression and will endure and stand firm during this period," Araghchi said. "It has also been proven to all that Iran has such friends and allies as the Russian Federation, who in difficult moments stand beside Iran.

"Pleased to engage with Russia at the highest level as the region is in major flux. Recent events have evidenced the depth and strength of our strategic partnership. As our relationship continues to grow, we are grateful for solidarity and welcome Russia's support for diplomacy," Aragchi wrote on his Instagram, sharing images of him meeting Putin and other Russian officials. 

The Russian delegation included Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, presidential aide Yuri Ushakov and the head of the Russian armed forces' main intelligence directorate Igor Kostyukov.

Putin's previous meeting with a senior Iranian official took place in Moscow on January 30, when he received Ali Larijani, then secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council. Larijani was killed in an Israeli strike on the night of March 16-17.

Putin has spoken several times by telephone with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian since the start of the war. Araghchi's visit to St Petersburg is the first by a senior Iranian official.

"There has been an opportunity to discuss with our Russian friends the events that have taken place during this time related to the war, and the current situation, as well as to once again review the state of affairs. Naturally, it is also necessary to carry out the corresponding coordination of actions," Araghchi said on arrival in Russia.

Araghchi has also visited Pakistan and Oman as part of his current diplomatic tour. Iranian state agency IRNA said the visits were aimed at bilateral consultations and discussion of recent regional developments.

Talks with US presidential envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner had been expected in Pakistan, but US President Donald Trump cancelled their trip to Islamabad. In Oman, Araghchi met Sultan Haitham bin Tariq for discussions on mediation efforts to end the regional conflict.