Lavrov Meets Araghchi in Tehran to Discuss the US War
Sergey Lavrov has held talks in Tehran with Abbas Araghchi on his first visit to Iran since February 2025, as Gulf states press Moscow to help halt Iranian attacks and reopen the Strait of Hormuz. Araghchi said: “The existing insecurity around the Strait of Hormuz is a direct result of the military aggression by the US and [Israel] against Iran.”
Araghchi insisted Iran’s policy was to focus on diplomacy, since regional problems have “no military solution”, and turned his fire on Europe, which he said suffers, “just like the Americans”, from miscalculations. On Iran’s eastern flank, Pakistan — itself a mediator between Tehran and Washington — has halted trade at the Taftan and Gabd-Rimdan crossings, stranding about 2,000 lorries; a local official called it “a temporary measure” to support counterterrorism efforts. Moscow’s value to Gulf capitals lies in its access to Tehran; whether that converts into pressure over shipping is the open question.