July 24 — Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov met with Iranian Foreign Minister
Araghchi to discuss rising tensions in the Persian Gulf and threats to a
peaceful resolution. Lavrov said a swift, stable agreement to end military
operations is needed to restore regional security and protect freedom of
navigation. The talks come amid an escalation in US‑Iran hostilities since July
8, when US forces struck targets inside Iran; Iran has since carried out
retaliatory strikes on US facilities in several Middle Eastern countries and the
US has reinstated a maritime blockade of Iran.
