Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov arrived in Tehran on 19 October. There, he will discuss measures to ease tensions in the Persian Gulf with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi. Lavrov will also be received by Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, according to Russian state news agencies.
According to TASS, during the talks the minister will focus in particular on practical steps to strengthen the comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries.
The visit comes the day after US President Donald Trump, whilst explaining his position on Russia’s war against Ukraine, made separate remarks about Moscow’s role in relation to Iran.
“Russia is doing practically nothing to help the Islamic Republic of Iran — if it is helping at all — although it could be doing much more. And I want it to stay that way, and I will ensure it does, unless fools stand in my way,” Trump wrote on his social media platform, Truth Social.
The US and Israel launched a joint military operation against Iran on 28 February 2026. In response, Tehran attacked Israel and other countries in the region; American servicemen were killed as a result.
The large-scale reciprocal strikes ceased in June after Washington and Tehran signed a memorandum of understanding providing for an immediate cessation of hostilities. The armed conflict later resumed briefly. Trump has suggested that the operation against Iran may continue in order to prevent Tehran from acquiring nuclear weapons.
One of the economic consequences of the war has been serious difficulties with the passage of ships through the Strait of Hormuz. Around 25 per cent of global oil trade and approximately 20 per cent of liquefied natural gas pass through the strait. This has led to a rise in oil prices: the price of a barrel of Brent crude has exceeded $100.