16.03.2026 18:43
While the risk of the war between Iran, the USA, and Israel spreading in the Middle East is being discussed, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov called on the parties to de-escalate tensions. Lavrov emphasized that hostilities must be halted and the parties should return to the negotiating table, stating that attacks targeting civilian infrastructure and actions leading to civilian casualties must come to an end.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, in a statement regarding the ongoing war in the Middle East, said that the conflicts must be stopped and the parties should return to the negotiation table. Lavrov called for an end to attacks targeting civilian infrastructure and actions that lead to civilian casualties in the region.
Lavrov made evaluations on the agenda at a press conference held after his meeting with Kenyan Foreign Minister Musalia Mudavadi, who was visiting Russia, in the capital Moscow.
"IRAN IS DEFENDING ITSELF"
Touching on the issue of Iran, Lavrov stated that the aggressive stance of the US and Israel towards Iran has not gone unanswered, expressing that Iran is defending itself and responding with retaliatory actions against American military infrastructure in other countries.
Lavrov also noted that the members of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) have been harmed by Iran's attacks, stating that tensions in the region should not escalate further.
"ACTIONS TARGETING CIVIL INFRASTRUCTURE MUST CEASE"
Calling on the parties, Lavrov emphasized that attacks damaging civilian infrastructure and actions leading to civilian casualties must come to an end both in Arab countries and in Iran.
Lavrov also argued that Iran needs security guarantees, claiming that the US is not ready for negotiations because it wants to seize enriched uranium.
DRAWING ATTENTION TO THE HORMUZ STRAIT AND TANKER CRISIS
Stating that everyone is focused on developments in the Hormuz Strait, Lavrov expressed that freedom of navigation in the Mediterranean and the Baltic Sea is also under threat.
Lavrov pointed out that illegal seizures of tankers in these regions are increasing, reminding that the Ukrainian army has been conducting attacks on tankers and the infrastructure of the TurkStream and Blue Stream natural gas pipelines in the Mediterranean and the Black Sea.
"THE PALESTINE ISSUE IS BEING FORGOTTEN"
Lavrov stated that the Palestine issue has been overshadowed due to the attacks on Iran. He emphasized that the United Nations Security Council should pay attention to this issue, expressing that the countries in the region must also be aware of their responsibilities.