Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has accused the United States and Israel of seeking to disrupt relations between Iran and its Arab neighbors in the Persian Gulf, amid the ongoing Middle East conflict.
Speaking during the Russian Foreign Ministry briefing roundtable in Moscow diplomatic forum on March 5, 2026, Lavrov criticised the U.S.-Israeli military offensive against Iran.
“I have no doubt that one of the goals was to create a split between the countries of the Persian Gulf, Iran, and its Arab neighbors, between which there has been a positive process of normalization in recent years. First of all, this was noticeable when Saudi Arabia and the Islamic Republic of Iran normalized,” said Lavrov.
Moscow has condemned the strikes as an act of aggression, accusing Washington and Tel Aviv of exacerbating instability rather than containing it.
Earlier on March 2, President Vladimir Putin, together with Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, discussed the risks of the conflict.
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According to the Kremlin, both sides expressed serious concern about the real risks of the conflict spreading, which has already affected the territories of a number of Arab countries and could have catastrophic consequences.
After the attacks launched on Tehran, Russia’s Foreign Ministry accused Washington and Tel Aviv of hiding behind concerns about Iran’s nuclear program while actually pursuing regime change.
Lavrov warned that the attacks risked triggering a humanitarian, economic, and possibly radiological catastrophe in the region.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has signaled that Moscow may consider ending most natural gas exports to Europe, instead focusing on emerging global markets that could offer higher returns.
Putin Threatens to Cut Europe Off Gas Supplies
Speaking on state television, Putin on March 4 said he would instruct his government to assess the potential move in coordination with Russian energy companies.
“Other markets are opening now, maybe it’s better for us to end supplies to the European market right now? To go to those markets that are opening now and get a foothold there,” said Putin.
He added that several buyers are willing to pay higher prices for Russian gas, which could offset revenues previously earned from European clients.
Also Read: Trump’s Close Ally Speaks on Plans to Go to War With Russia and China
Putin’s comments come against the backdrop of the European Union’s plans to gradually phase out Russian pipeline gas and liquefied natural gas (LNG) imports by late 2027.
The European Commission is set to formally table a legal proposal to ban Russian oil imports on April 15, shortly after Hungary’s parliamentary elections.
President Putin clarified that his remarks were “thinking out loud,” not a formal decision, though the Kremlin emphasized that discussions with energy companies would begin promptly.
US Destroys 17 Iranian Ships Amid the Ongoing Regional War
The US military claims it has destroyed 17 Iranian ships in its campaign against Iran, which involves tens of thousands of US service members.
According to Brad Cooper, the commander of US forces in the Middle East, the attacks aim to destroy all ships in Iran.
“We are also sinking the Iranian navy, the entire navy. Thus far, we’ve destroyed 17 Iranian ships, including the most operational Iranian submarine that now has a hole in its side. In simple terms, we’re focused on shooting all the things that can shoot at us,” said Brad Cooper.
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