Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov landed in Tehran on Monday for talks with top Iranian officials on the status of the war and diplomatic efforts with the U.S.
Mr. Lavrov met with his counterpart, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, to discuss regional developments and the status of peace talks, which have been mediated by Pakistan and Qatar. The trip marks the first time he has visited Iran since the U.S.-Israeli war with Iran began in February.
Speaking at a joint press conference after the meeting, Mr. Araghchi described the talks as fruitful, according to state-affiliated media, adding that the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Treaty has added a new dimension to bilateral relations.
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The agreement, signed by Iran and Russia last year, includes a 20-year framework for bilateral relations focusing on coordination on intelligence, counterterrorism, energy projects and economic ties.
The two diplomats also discussed regional security and how to counter what Mr. Araghchi called aggressive unilateralism.
“We also discussed insecurity in the Persian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz, which we believe stems directly from the U.S. and Israeli military aggression against Iran, launched on February 28 and continuing in various forms. The imposed war and economic blockade are the main sources of insecurity in the region,” he said in comments carried by state media.
Mr. Lavrov said Russia remains committed to its partnership with Iran and has used its place in the United Nations Security Council to counter efforts to vilify Tehran.
“Despite the developments and pressures whose dimensions you are all aware of, our common will is based on moving comprehensive cooperation between Iran and Russia forward with dynamism and strength,” he said.
Mr. Lavrov said on Sunday that he hoped to discuss measures to prevent a return to wide-scale war between Tehran and Washington.
During the United Nations General Assembly last month, Mr. Lavrov floated increased diplomatic involvement by Russia in resolving the crisis in the Strait of Hormuz, which has greatly increased international oil prices and threatened shipping since March.
Mr. Lavrov also met with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian during the visit. Mr. Pezeshkian pressed Russia to play a more effective role in bolstering peace and sustainable security, according to state media.
Before his visit to Tehran, Mr. Lavrov told the Russia-Gulf Cooperation Council Strategic Dialogue in Bahrain on Monday that the U.S. and Iran should return to the Pakistani-brokered Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding.
The agreement, signed by all parties in June, called for a complete ceasefire and the reopening of the strait. However, the agreement broke down just weeks later after Iran attacked commercial ships in the waterway that it said were in violation of the agreement.
The meeting comes amid stalled diplomacy between the U.S. and Iran. Last week, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei said his country was finalizing a response to the latest U.S. peace proposal.
Official contact between Russian and Iranian officials has been nearly constant in recent weeks. Russian President Vladimir Putin met with Mr. Pezeshkian in Turkmenistan last week for their third meeting in a month.
Russia has repeatedly offered diplomatic support for Iran and has even floated taking control of its stockpiles of highly enriched uranium. U.S. officials have insisted that any future peace deal includes provisions for either the disposal or dilution of the uranium.
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