World · Middle East · 3 hrs ago
Lavrov visits Tehran as Gulf states urge Russia to press Iran
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov is visiting Tehran to discuss rising regional tensions with Iranian officials.
The visit follows a meeting in Bahrain where Gulf states urged Russia to use its influence to press Iran to stop attacks on neighbouring countries and comply with UN resolutions.
Russia says it supports diplomacy and has proposed direct talks among Gulf states and nearby countries, including Iraq and Jordan.
The dispute comes amid escalating threats between Iran and the United States, with both sides warning of possible attacks.
Shipping through the Strait of Hormuz has been disrupted, raising concerns about supplies of oil, gas and other goods.
The waterway carried about one-fifth of global oil and liquefied natural gas supplies before the conflict.
Lavrov is expected to brief Iran on his talks with Gulf officials and discuss cooperation between Russia and Iran; the sources give no further outcome of the visit.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov is due to visit Tehran on Monday, October 19, amid regional tensions and calls from Gulf states for Moscow to press Iran.
The Gulf Co-operation Council urged Russia to help secure Iran’s compliance with UN resolutions, end attacks on Gulf states and pursue dialogue.
Lavrov is expected to brief Iranian officials on his talks with Gulf foreign ministers in Manama and outline Russia’s de-escalation efforts.
Russia has proposed direct dialogue among Gulf states and neighbouring countries as part of a collective security plan.
The articles describe heightened concerns over attacks and shipping disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz.
- Who
- Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov is visiting Iran and is expected to meet President Masoud Pezeshkian.
- What
- Lavrov is set to discuss regional de-escalation and Russia’s security proposals. Gulf states have urged Moscow to press Iran to halt attacks.
- When
- Monday, October 19, 2026.
- Where
- Tehran, Iran; Lavrov previously met Gulf Co-operation Council foreign ministers in Manama, Bahrain.
- Why
- To discuss regional tensions, de-escalation and the strategic partnership between Russia and Iran.
Gulf Co-operation Council
Russia
Request to Moscow
Gulf Co-operation Council
The bloc urged Russia to use its influence to press Iran to comply with UN resolutions, stop attacks on Gulf states and pursue serious dialogue.
Russia
Lavrov said Russia supports direct dialogue among Gulf states and their neighbours and called for respect for existing agreements.
Approach to the crisis
Gulf Co-operation Council
The bloc called for an active Russian role in securing Iranian compliance and restoring maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz to its pre-war status.
Russia
Russia presented a collective security plan based on dialogue among coastal states and neighbouring countries.
Lavrov met Gulf Co-operation Council foreign ministers in Manama, where the bloc urged Moscow to press Iran to halt attacks.
Lavrov was due to visit Tehran and brief Iranian officials on his talks with Gulf states.
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said an oil tanker struck a naval mine and caught fire in the Strait of Hormuz; the claim could not be independently verified.
- Russian foreign minister
- Sergey Lavrov
- Destination
- Tehran, Iran
- Iranian president
- Masoud Pezeshkian
- Gulf meeting
- Manama, Bahrain
- GCC secretary general
- Jasem Al Budaiwi
- GCC-reported attacks
- More than 7,000 missile and drone attacks since February 28
3 sources
What people are saying
We all believe that it is important for all the Gulf states to have their own word in how to resolve this strategic crisis.
Last time you wanted to ‘finish the job’, Iran emerged even stronger.
Want to try your luck again? Be our guest. But be careful; we have unfinished jobs too.
US forces withdraw from the Persian Gulf