FM Lavrov Heads to Tehran for Talks With Iranian Leadership

Oct. 19, 2026 Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov. Russian Foreign Ministry Press Service Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov is traveling to Tehran on Monday to hold a series of meetings with top Iranian officials as Moscow seeks to position itself as a mediator in the war between Iran and the United States. Lavrov will meet with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian before holding “confidential and thorough” talks with Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, according to a Russian Foreign Ministry statement. “Discussions will cover the situation in the Persian Gulf and ways to resolve the acute international crisis triggered by the unlawful U.S. and Israeli aggression against Iran,” the ministry said. The bilateral agenda will also focus on energy, transport and economic projects, it added. Russia and Iran signed a strategic partnership agreement in 2025 that includes provisions for countering shared threats. That pact stops short of mutual defense obligations, unlike the security agreement Russia has signed with North Korea. Moscow is one of Tehran’s closest partners and has repeatedly condemned the U.S.-Israeli war against the Islamic republic. President Vladimir Putin told Pezeshkian earlier this month that Russia is ready to play a mediating role in ending the Middle East war. Lavrov’s visit on Monday follows U.S. President Donald Trump’s claims that Russia is “doing very little, if anything” to help Iran in the war with the U.S. and Israel. U.S. officials have minimized concerns over Russian-Iranian military ties in the wake of reports as early as March alleging that Moscow is providing Tehran with intelligence to help it strike American military forces in the Middle East. Read more about: Lavrov , Iran , Diplomacy Sign up for our free weekly newsletter Our weekly newsletter contains a hand-picked selection of news, features, analysis and more from The Moscow Times. You will receive it in your mailbox every Friday. Never miss the latest news from Russia. Preview Subscribers agree to the Privacy Policy We sent a confirmation to your email. Please confirm your subscription. A Message from The Moscow Times: Dear readers, We are facing unprecedented challenges. Russia's Prosecutor General's Office has designated The Moscow Times as an "undesirable" organization, criminalizing our work and putting our staff at risk of prosecution. This follows our earlier unjust labeling as a "foreign agent." These actions are direct attempts to silence independent journalism in Russia. The authorities claim our work "discredits the decisions of the Russian leadership." We see things differently: we strive to provide accurate, unbiased reporting on Russia. We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. But to continue our work, we need your help. Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just $2. It's quick to set up, and every contribution makes a significant impact. By supporting The Moscow Times, you're defending open, independent journalism in the face of repression. Thank you for standing with us. Once Monthly Annual Continue Not ready to support today? Remind me later. × Remind me next month Remind me Thank you! Your reminder is set. We will send you one reminder email a month from now. For details on the personal data we collect and how it is used, please see our Privacy Policy. Read more Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov Visits Tehran for Talks Russia’s Foreign Ministry said their talks would cover “Russian-Iranian relations,” as well as “a number of current international issues,” such... 1 Min read China, Russia Say To Strengthen Cooperation in Lavrov Visit Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov arrived in China for a two-day official visit on Monday, as the two countries look to deepen diplomatic ties. 3 Min read Iran Summons Russian Envoy Over Statement on Disputed Gulf Islands Iran's key ally Russia signed a joint declaration with Arab countries which "supported peaceful solutions and initiatives" to resolve the dispute. 1 Min read Russia Hosts Talks with Iran, Syria, Turkey The talks aimed to normalize ties between Ankara and Damascus, which were severed at the start of Syria's civil war in 2011. 2 Min read