Lavrov and Araqchi Discuss Middle East Escalation in Phone Call
Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov held a phone conversation on Monday with his Iranian counterpart Abbas Araqchi to discuss the rapidly deteriorating situation in the Middle East, according to an official statement from the Russian Foreign Ministry. The contact took place at the initiative of the Iranian side.
During the call, both sides reviewed developments in the Persian Gulf, which Moscow said had “deteriorated dramatically” as a result of actions by the United States and the Zionist entity. Lavrov stressed that strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities, including Bushehr, are unacceptable, warning that they endanger Russian personnel and pose potentially catastrophic environmental risks for the wider region. The two ministers also expressed concern over what they described as the dangerous expansion of the conflict toward the Caspian Sea area.
Moscow emphasized the urgent need for an immediate cessation of hostilities and a political settlement that respects the legitimate interests of all parties, particularly Iran, adding that Russia would maintain this position at the United Nations Security Council. Araqchi, for his part, thanked the Russian leadership for its diplomatic and humanitarian support.
Regional tensions have sharply escalated since the joint U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran on February 28, which have resulted in more than 1,340 deaths, including Ali Khamenei. Iran has since launched retaliatory drone and missile attacks targeting the zionist entity and areas hosting U.S. military assets across the region, contributing to casualties, infrastructure damage, and disruptions in global markets and aviation.
