Russia, Iran discuss Hormuz navigation, nuclear program in phone call

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and his Iranian counterpart, Abbas Araghchi, held a telephone conversation on Friday to discuss freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz and efforts to resolve issues surrounding Tehran’s nuclear program, Russia’s Foreign Ministry announced on Saturday. The ministry said the call continued a detailed exchange of views on the prospects for a complete halt to hostilities and the stabilization of the military and political situation in the Middle East. The discussions followed a meeting earlier this week between Araghchi and Russian President Vladimir Putin in St. Petersburg.

Moscow’s support for mediation

The Russian Foreign Ministry noted Moscow’s support for ongoing mediation efforts, though it did not specify which mediation track—Pakistan’s or others. “The sides reaffirmed their readiness to make every effort to facilitate a political and diplomatic process in order to reach lasting agreements aimed at establishing long-term peace in the region,” the statement added. Araghchi traveled to Russia on Monday after visiting Pakistan’s capital, Islamabad, where he held talks on ending the ongoing conflict with the US.

Conflict background

The US and Israel launched strikes on Iran on Feb. 28, prompting Iranian retaliation against Israel and US allies in the Gulf, as well as the closure of the Strait of Hormuz. A two-week ceasefire was announced on April 8 through Pakistani mediation, followed by direct talks in Islamabad on April 11-12, though no lasting agreement was reached. President Trump later extended the ceasefire without setting a new deadline, at Pakistan’s request. Since April 13, the US has imposed a naval blockade targeting Iranian maritime traffic.