Russia Urges Immediate Ceasefire as Lavrov, Araghchi Discuss Gulf Crisis

Moscow, March 2026 : Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and his Iranian counterpart Abbas Araghchi held a crucial phone conversation on Monday to discuss the rapidly deteriorating situation in the Persian Gulf, with Moscow calling for an immediate cessation of hostilities.

According to a statement issued by the Russian Foreign Ministry, both leaders reviewed the regional security environment, which they said has worsened significantly due to what Russia described as aggression by the United States and Israel. Lavrov strongly criticised recent strikes on Iranian territory, particularly those targeting nuclear infrastructure.

He highlighted concerns over attacks on facilities such as the Bushehr Nuclear Power Plant, warning that such actions pose serious risks to Russian personnel working in the region. Lavrov also cautioned that strikes on nuclear sites could lead to severe environmental and radiological consequences, potentially affecting multiple countries across the region.

Both sides expressed alarm over the possible expansion of the conflict beyond the Gulf, including into the Caspian region. Russia reiterated its position that the situation requires urgent de-escalation and a political resolution that takes into account the legitimate interests of all parties, particularly Iran. Moscow also affirmed that it would continue advocating this stance at the United Nations Security Council.

During the conversation, Araghchi thanked the Russian leadership for its continued diplomatic backing and humanitarian assistance extended to Iran amid the ongoing crisis.

In a separate statement issued over the weekend, Russia condemned the strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities as a blatant violation of international law. It criticised the continued targeting of military, civilian, and nuclear infrastructure, warning of the risks posed to both human life and the environment.

The statement also referred to renewed attacks on the uranium enrichment facility in Natanz, which operates under safeguards of the International Atomic Energy Agency. Russia described the incident as part of a pattern of actions that undermine global security frameworks and international agreements.

Calling for accountability, Moscow urged the international community, including the leadership of the United Nations and the IAEA, to deliver an objective and firm assessment of the situation. It warned that continued escalation could have catastrophic consequences for the entire Middle East, further destabilising an already volatile region.

(The content of this article is sourced from a news agency and has not been edited by the Mavericknews30 team.)