Rezaei Meets Putin in Moscow With Khamenei Letter as Iran Sets Seven Conditions for Talks

Iran's security chief Mohsen Rezaei met Russian President Vladimir Putin at the Kremlin on Thursday, delivering a personal letter from Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei and declaring that Tehran will not negotiate with the United States or reopen the Strait of Hormuz until Washington meets Iran's seven conditions.

Rezaei, secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council, said the talks covered post-war security arrangements, energy cooperation and a gas pipeline from Russia to Iran. He said Putin had condemned the US and Israeli strikes, although the Kremlin did not separately confirm that.

Key Points

• Rezaei met Putin at the Kremlin on Thursday, November 5, 2026, and delivered a letter from Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei. Its contents were not disclosed.
• Rezaei said Iran will neither reopen the Strait of Hormuz nor negotiate with the US until Washington meets its seven conditions.
• The two sides agreed to build a gas pipeline from Russia to Iran, to ease Iran's gas shortages and let Russia sell gas to neighbours.
• Khamenei said on Wednesday there should not be "even the slightest inclination towards submission" to the United States.
• The trip came as Qatar mediates to end the war, days after President Donald Trump warned he may have to "destroy the rest" of Iran.

What Happened

The meeting took place in the Senate Palace at the Kremlin, according to Russia's TASS news agency, and the Kremlin confirmed it, saying the two men discussed regional security. Rezaei was accompanied by Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov and GRU chief Admiral Igor Kostyukov.

Rezaei said Khamenei had wanted the message delivered to Putin as soon as possible. The trip had been planned nearly a month earlier but was postponed over "daily discussions about the military situation in the region". It followed a telephone call between Rezaei and Putin on Monday.

Afterwards Rezaei said "important regional issues were discussed" and "significant conversations took place regarding the post-war period and regional security arrangements". He said he had briefed Putin on a late-October Tehran meeting of Iran, Saudi Arabia, Turkiye and Pakistan, which Putin welcomed, adding: "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."

Background and Context

The meeting came in the ninth month of the US-Israel war on Iran, which began on February 28, 2026. Efforts to end it have centred on the Strait of Hormuz, the US blockade of Iranian ports, sanctions and a resumption of nuclear negotiations.

Diplomacy has quickened. Vice President JD Vance said on Monday that Washington had made "progress" and set no deadline for a deal. Trump said a deal was "coming together very nicely". On Friday he spoke with Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani about mediation, and a senior Iranian official told Reuters Tehran had sent a nuclear proposal to Washington through Qatar, which it is reviewing.

The reported demands include sanctions relief, the release of frozen Iranian assets and war reparations, while Washington insists nuclear issues must feature in any initial talks. Trump has said Iran cannot act on its nuclear programme "without our approval".

Russia and Iran signed a comprehensive strategic partnership treaty in January 2025, in effect since October, without a mutual defence clause. Iran has bought Russian Su-35 fighter jets and expects delivery after the war ends.

The Rezaei Putin Meeting and the Khamenei Letter

The letter's contents were not disclosed, but its timing was pointed: it arrived the day after Khamenei called for an "ever stronger" Iran to reach "a point of absolute deterrence", warning against "even the slightest inclination towards submission" to the US.

"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," Rezaei said. The Strait, carrying a large share of the world's seaborne oil, is Tehran's strongest card.

Energy was the second purpose. The planned pipeline would ease Iran's gas shortages and open a new route for Russian gas as its European markets have shrunk.

Reactions and Quotes

Rezaei said Putin had reiterated that Russia is ready to support ending the war. Last month Putin told President Masoud Pezeshkian that Russia was prepared to "do everything" it could, Russian news agencies reported.

Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi also called counterparts in Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Qatar, Turkiye and Jordan about the diplomatic efforts, state media reported, underlining that Moscow was part of a wider Iranian push.

Vance said on Monday he and Trump "both feel pretty good about the prospects for potentially coming to a negotiated settlement", and confirmed he had written to Rezaei last week about medical supplies and other matters. Rezaei called the changed US tone a good sign but said he had not replied. Trump, however, has warned he may have to "destroy the rest" of Iran.

Why It Matters

The meeting shows Tehran is not negotiating from isolation. Carrying Khamenei's letter to the Kremlin gave Moscow a direct line to Iran's supreme leader as Washington decides whether to strike again, and Russian backing gives Iran diplomatic cover against escalation.

The seven conditions also set a high bar: sanctions relief, frozen assets and reparations would each be hard for Washington to concede, making a quick deal unlikely even as both sides say they want one.

In Tuesday's midterms, Trump's Republicans lost both chambers amid anger over prices blamed on the war, while a second US carrier, the USS Gerald R. Ford, heads to the Middle East.

What Happens Next

Qatar's mediation continues and Washington is reviewing Iran's nuclear proposal. The emir of Qatar has urged both sides to keep talking, and Trump initiated Friday's call with him, a sign the White House remains engaged.

The next test is Washington's answer to the seven conditions. If the US offers sanctions relief or a path to unfreezing assets, talks could open; if not, the Strait is likely to stay shut and the risk of renewed strikes will grow.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is Mohsen Rezaei?
Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council. He met Putin in Moscow on Thursday, November 5, 2026.

What did Rezaei deliver to Putin?
A personal letter from Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei. Its contents were not disclosed.

What are Iran's seven conditions?
Tehran has not published the full list. Reported elements include sanctions relief, releasing frozen assets and war reparations.

What did Russia and Iran agree on energy?
To build a gas pipeline from Russia to Iran, easing Iran's gas shortages and letting Russia sell gas to neighbouring countries.

What happens next?
Qatar keeps mediating and Washington is reviewing Iran's proposal. Without progress on the conditions, the Strait is likely to stay shut.

Also read our report on Trump meeting Putin envoy Dmitriev and predicting a 'big, beautiful' Ukraine deal and Trump warning he may have to 'destroy the rest' of Iran as the war decision nears.