Iran 's foreign minister Abbas Araqchi traveled to Russia to coordinate with Moscow as negotiations with the US stalled. The move could signal a reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, a chokepoint that carries roughly 20% of global crude flow. Trump has repeatedly stated that Tehran must abandon any nuclear‑weapon ambitions before talks can proceed. In a Fox News interview on April 26, he said Tehran could “call us” if it wants to talk, but added that it must give up plans to build a nuclear weapon or “there’s no reason to meet.” On April 26, Axios reported that Tehran, working through Pakistani mediators, offered a proposal to reopen Hormuz and lift a US blockade of Iranian ports, while postponing nuclear negotiations. The proposal was cited by an unnamed US official and two sources with knowledge of the matter. The second round of talks, scheduled for the weekend of April 11-12, was called off after Tehran said its team would not meet American negotiators. In a post on X, Araqchi wrote that “Important discussions on bilateral matters and regional developments” focused on ensuring safe transit for all littoral states. Meanwhile, Tehran’s ambassador to Moscow, Kazem Jalali, noted that Araqchi would meet with President Vladimir Putin on April 27 to consult on the latest status of negotiations and surrounding developments, emphasizing a united front against Western nations. While the US-Israeli cease-fire appears to be holding, the Israel-Lebanon truce appears to be fraying. Lebanese officials said Israeli strikes killed at least 14 people and wounded 37 on April 26 after the Israeli military warned residents to leave seven towns beyond the “buffer zone” it is occupying. The Israeli military accused the Iran-allied Hezbollah militant group of violating the cease-fire and vowed to respond. A militant group and political party that controls much of southern Lebanon, Hezbollah is considered a terrorist organization by the US, while the European Union has blacklisted its armed wing but not its political branch. Tehran has always insisted that its nuclear program is strictly for civilian purposes, although the US and Israel accuse Iran of secretly attempting to build a nuclear weapon. Trump has demanded that Tehran cease its program of enriching uranium that could be used to build a bomb and that it had over its supply of the mineral -- something Iran has said will not happen. Araqchi, who along with powerful parliament speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf led a first round of talks in Pakistan on April 11-12, is making the diplomatic rounds in an effort to beef up support for Iran. After traveling to Pakistan, Araqchi went to Oman, where he looked to sell leaders there on the idea of a joint shipping toll on the crucial Strait of Hormuz waterway -- a move vehemently opposed by most of the rest of the world. "Important discussions on bilateral matters and regional developments. As only Hormuz littoral states, our focus included ways to ensure safe transit that is to benefit of all dear neighbors," he wrote on X. Araqchi then returned to Pakistan briefly before heading on to Russia, arriving early on April 27 in St. Petersburg for talks with Putin. Iran and Russia are both subject to crippling Western sanctions and have built a strong political and military alliance. Jalali added that Araqchi would “consult Russian officials regarding the latest status of the negotiations, cease-fire, and surrounding developments.” “Coordinating interactions and advancing joint programs at the regional and international levels is the most important agenda of this trip,” he wrote, adding that Iran and Russia are in a “united front” against Western nations. Russian officials confirmed that Putin plans to meet with Iran's top diplomat. By RFE/RL