Dialogos

Russia Favors 'Political' Settlement in Middle East

Published March 23, 2026, 14:04
Russia Favors 'Political' Settlement in Middle East

Russia expressed support for a 'political' settlement to the war in the Middle East during a phone call with the Iranian Foreign Minister, while Donald Trump announced negotiations with Tehran. Trump had threatened an attack on Iranian facilities if Tehran did not open the Strait of Hormuz. The Russian Foreign Ministry stated that Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi emphasized the need for an immediate cessation of hostilities and a political settlement. They also expressed concern about the dangerous escalation of the conflict. Lavrov warned that attacks on Iranian nuclear facilities, including Bushehr, would endanger the safety of Russian experts and pose environmental risks. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov also warned against any attack on the Bushehr nuclear power plant. Trump had threatened to 'destroy' Iran's power plants if it did not open the Strait of Hormuz, but later announced that he had begun 'very positive and constructive talks' with Tehran.