TEHRAN: Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on Monday expressed concerns over the United States’ decision to bolster its military presence in the Middle East, stating that this move could lead to an escalation in the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas.
Lavrov, speaking about the US deployment of warships to the region during a meeting in Tehran, emphasized the potential risks associated with proactive military measures in the region. “The more a state takes this kind of proactive measures, the greater the risk and the danger of an escalation of the conflict,” Lavrov said.
He also said the United States was “already among the nations intervening the most” in the conflict since the October 7 attack by Palestinian resistance group Hamas on Israel, and brutal air strikes by Israeli forces on the Gaza Strip.
The Russian Foreign Minister acknowledged that efforts by the United States and the European Union were necessary in order to ensure a diplomatic resolution of the latest fighting.
During his visit to Tehran for talks with regional counterparts regarding the conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan, Lavrov stressed the necessity of joint action based on the combined potential of regional countries, the European Union, and potentially the United States. He emphasized the importance of international cooperation in addressing the ongoing conflict. “We have to act on the basis of the joint potential of countries in the region, and of the European Union and, probably, the United States, and it is difficult to do without them,” Lavrov said.
Lavrov also highlighted Russia’s stance on the Israel-Palestine issue, asserting that Russia does not condone terrorism or any form of violence that violates international humanitarian law. He stated that Russia firmly opposes the indiscriminate use of force and is committed to finding a peaceful resolution to the conflict.
Russian President Expresses Concern Over Civilian Casualties in Gaza
Meanwhile, Russian President Vladimir Putin, in a phone call with his Brazilian counterpart Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, called for “unhindered access” for humanitarian aid to enter Gaza, as reported by the Kremlin.
Both Putin and Lula expressed serious concerns about the increasing Palestinian civilian casualties and stressed the critical importance of an early ceasefire, evacuation of foreign citizens from the Gaza Strip, and ensuring unimpeded access to humanitarian aid to the enclave.
The United Nations has highlighted the urgent need for about 100 aid trucks a day to meet the necessities of Gaza’s 2.4 million people, nearly half of whom have been displaced due to Israel’s bombardment. On Monday, a third aid convoy, comprising approximately a dozen trucks, entered Gaza through the Rafah crossing with Egypt.
The United States has pledged to maintain a “continued flow” of relief items into Gaza, where Israel has cut off essential supplies, including water, food, power, and fuel.
During the call, Putin and Lula discussed “urgent and effective” measures that could be taken at the UN. Brazil currently holds the rotating presidency of the Security Council this month, though specific details of the discussed measures were not provided by the Kremlin.
