• Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi is set to visit Muscat and Moscow as part of a coordinated diplomatic push.
  • The tour aims to advance talks with the United States via allied channels and secure regional backing.
  • Russia remains a key partner in Iran’s strategy to diversify its international engagements.

Iran’s top diplomat Abbas Araghchi is hitting the road this week, with stops in Muscat and Moscow according to state news agency IRNA. The visits are part of a broader regional tour designed to shore up support for Tehran’s negotiating position with the United States and to strengthen ties with key allies.

“This tour reflects our commitment to multilateral diplomacy,” a foreign ministry official in Tehran said, speaking on condition of anonymity. “We are coordinating closely with partners to ensure a unified approach.”

The Muscat leg of the trip underscores Iran’s interest in maintaining dialogue channels with Gulf states, even as nuclear talks with Washington remain stalled. Oman has historically served as a backchannel for U.S.-Iran communications, and officials familiar with the matter expect discussions to touch on regional security and energy cooperation.

In Moscow, Araghchi is expected to meet with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov. The two are likely to discuss bilateral ties, the war in Ukraine, and ways to counter Western sanctions. Russia has been a key supporter of Iran’s position in multilateral forums, including the UN Security Council and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization.

“Iran and Russia share a vision for a multipolar world order,” said a senior Iranian diplomat involved in planning the visit. “Our coordination in venues like the SCO and BRICS is growing deeper.”

The regional tour comes amid signs that indirect talks between Iran and the U.S. may be gaining momentum. Earlier this month, a senior U.S. official traveled to Muscat for undisclosed meetings, fueling speculation that a new round of negotiations is in the works.

Analysts say Iran’s diplomatic push is aimed at securing a stronger hand ahead of any potential talks. By solidifying support in the region and with Russia, Tehran hopes to avoid making concessions from a position of weakness.

“Iran is playing a careful game,” said a Gulf-based analyst close to the negotiations. “They want to demonstrate that they have options beyond the U.S. — and that Washington should take them seriously.”

Attempts to reach the U.S. State Department for comment were unsuccessful.

Correction: An earlier version of this article misstated the destination of Araghchi’s first stop. The correct destination is Muscat, not Oman’s capital city.