Lavrov Rejects Gulf Pleas to Iran, Calls for Balanced Ceasefire in Escalating Mideast Crisis
Moscow, March 8, 2026 – Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov firmly rebuffed a plea from Gulf Arab ambassadors to exert pressure on Iran to cease its retaliatory strikes against regional infrastructure, accusing the envoys of selective outrage over the ongoing Middle East conflict. In a candid exchange captured in a video released by Russian state media, Lavrov highlighted what he described as “treacherous aggression” by the United States and Israel that ignited the crisis, urging a unified call for an immediate halt to all hostilities rather than one-sided condemnations.
The meeting, held in Moscow, occurred nine days into a broader escalation that has disrupted global oil supplies and raised fears of a wider regional war. It began with US and Israeli airstrikes on Iranian targets, including a devastating bombing of a girls’ school in Iran that reportedly killed 170 people, prompting Tehran’s forceful response targeting Gulf refineries and civilian facilities. The Gulf states, caught in the crossfire despite their proclaimed neutrality, have suffered significant economic and human losses, with ambassadors emphasizing the threat to their sovereignty.
Speaking on behalf of the Gulf Arab countries, one attendee stated, expressing gratitude for Russia’s strategic ties and a recent phone call between President Vladimir Putin and regional leaders. “Our countries and Arab Countries are facing aggression from Iran, it represents a threat to our civilian infrastructure. Over last week many people have been killed,” the ambassador stated, underscoring the urgency. He appealed directly to Moscow’s influence over Tehran: “We know that you have special strategic relationship with Iran. Therefore we hope that Russia will play a major role [and] will exert pressure on Iran to stop the aggression against our countries.”
The envoy reiterated that the Gulf nations were not parties to the initial conflict and had taken no actions against Iran, pleading for Russian intervention to de-escalate. “We also have strategic relations with Russia. And we want to exert more pressure in order to immediately stop [this]. This will also help the conflict in the entire region,” he added, framing the request as mutually beneficial amid shared economic interests.
Lavrov, however, pivoted the conversation to challenge the ambassadors’ narrative, pointing out their prior warnings against military escalation that went unheeded by Washington and Tel Aviv. “The group of Arab states on whose behalf you speak did indeed warn. Many of the Arab monarchies publicly said that things should not be led toward a military solution. And they would not allow their airspace to [be] used, as I already said,” he acknowledged.
Yet, he pressed them on their silence regarding the inciting incidents. “But when it all began, contrary to your repeatedly addressed appeals to the United States and Israel, did you condemn what the United States and Israel began? And for example, did you condemn [the attack that killed] 170 girls [in the school bombing]?” Lavrov asked pointedly, evoking the tragic strike that has become a flashpoint in international discourse.
Lavrov expressed sympathy for the Gulf states’ plight but rejected the notion of isolating Iran’s actions. “We are against the suffering of the Gulf countries on whose behalf you speak. We believe that this does not provide our Arab colleagues with any military advantages. Politically it is very doubtful that Iran gains anything from this. Rather the opposite,” he said. However, he criticized the double standard: “But we also cannot accept the logic according to which Iran’s actions are unacceptable while everything the US and Israel do is not subject to discussion. Do you understand what I mean? It is an obvious thing. It lies on the surface.”
Emphasizing Russia’s stance, Lavrov advocated for a comprehensive approach. “We advocate for immediate cessation of aggression and to all the countries represented here. We can say that Iran reacted in a way that not everyone expected. I agree with this. But a country in the middle of negotiations is subjected to aggression — treacherous aggression. They agreed to continue negotiations,” he explained, referencing recent diplomatic efforts derailed by the strikes.
He shared insights from a conversation with Oman’s Foreign Minister Badr al-Busaydi, who was “in shock that everything turned out this way at a moment when, in his estimation, solutions had been found.” Lavrov warned that pressuring only Iran would embolden further aggression: “Therefore yes, we are [in] solidarity with all Gulf countries suffering from what’s happening. We call for a united front for the cessation of this entire war. Because simply saying that Iran has no right to do anything means you are, well, effectively and openly encouraging the United States and Israel to continue. This is illogical.”
Lavrov also addressed the broader economic fallout, noting how attacks on oil infrastructure have crippled global markets. “We observe how the world economy is being deprived, at least for some prolonged period, of one main motor of its development, as an oil refinery is liquidated. This is all terrible,” he lamented.
Critiquing a reported initiative by Bahrain to introduce a UN Security Council resolution condemning solely Iran’s actions, Lavrov predicted division: “By the way, I heard that your countries, I believe even Bahrain, now want to introduce a resolution in UN Security Council in the spirit of what you said — to condemn the aggression of Iran without saying a single word [about the initiators]. Well probably this will only split countries. I am sure that the Americans of course will seize upon this initiative. It fully corresponds to their logic which consists of the fact that it is necessary to finish off [Iran].”
In a nod to past precedents, Lavrov suggested mirroring a US-backed resolution on Ukraine from the previous year, adapted to the current crisis: “You know, last year the Americans introduced a resolution on Ukraine to the UN Security Council which called for the conflict to be ended as soon as possible while there were some other additional points. But let us adopt the same resolution in the UN Security Council. We will be only for it. In my opinion that would be fair.”
The exchange underscores Russia’s deepening alignment with Iran amid the conflict, positioning Moscow as a counterweight to Western influence in the region. Analysts suggest this could strengthen the Russia-Iran axis, complicating efforts for a swift resolution. As oil prices surge and humanitarian concerns mount, international calls for mediation grow, but Lavrov’s remarks signal that any path forward must address all parties’ aggressions equally.
With no immediate signs of de-escalation, the world watches as the crisis threatens to engulf more nations.
