TEHRAN: Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov arrived in Iran on Monday, Russian media said, in his first visit since the outbreak of the Middle East war as Moscow seeks to play a mediating role. Iranian foreign ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei said that the trip would focus on "regional and international developments". Lavrov was scheduled to meet Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and hold talks with his counterpart Abbas Araghchi.
The veteran diplomat has said Moscow's efforts are "aimed at preventing the return of a large-scale war", with talks stalled between Tehran and Washington. His visit comes after Russian President Vladimir Putin told Pezeshkian in early October that Moscow was prepared to contribute to mediation efforts.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said regional issues should be resolved through diplomacy and blamed the United States for insecurity and tensions in the Strait of Hormuz.
The Russian foreign ministry said discussions during Lavrov's visit were expected to focus on "ways to resolve the acute international crisis triggered by the unlawful aggression of the US and Israel against Iran". The ministry said the war had been a blow to stability and security "not only in the near and Middle East, but also on a global scale". — AFP
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