Lavrov in Tehran: Gulf States Urge Russia to Curb Iran's Regional Attacks Amid Escalating Tensions

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov is scheduled to visit Tehran on Monday. This visit follows a plea from Gulf states for Moscow to leverage its influence at the UN to compel Iran to cease attacks on its regional neighbors. The trip occurs amid heightened tensions concerning shipping security and the potential for renewed conflict with the United States. President Donald Trump had previously warned that Washington might "soon finish the job" if Tehran did not rapidly alter its conduct, a statement met with a defiant response from Tehran.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi responded on X, stating, "Last time you wanted to ‘finish the job’, Iran emerged even stronger. Want to try your luck again? Be our guest. But be careful; we have unfinished jobs too." Tehran’s rhetoric intensified over the weekend, with newly appointed Defence Minister Mehrdad Ketabchi warning on Sunday of Iran's readiness to counter any US attack using the "Mother of All Bombs." Further escalating the situation, Brig Gen Mohammad Reza Naqdi, a senior adviser to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps commander-in-chief, stated on Monday that Iran possessed the "father of Iranian missiles" prepared to target the enemy’s energy infrastructure and regional investments if attacked.

During a meeting with Gulf Co-operation Council foreign ministers in Manama on Sunday, the bloc implored Russia to actively ensure Iran's adherence to UN resolutions, halt attacks on Gulf states, and engage in serious dialogue. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov advocated for a diplomatic resolution to the regional crisis, presenting an updated Russian proposal for collective security in the Gulf. This plan emphasizes direct dialogue among coastal states and neighboring countries, including Iraq and Jordan. "We all believe that it is important for all the Gulf states to have their own word in how to resolve this strategic crisis," Lavrov remarked, adding that Moscow supported direct dialogue and respected existing agreements. "We focus on removing core reasons for conflict," he stated, contrasting Russia's approach with that of "Western counterparts."

At the Sunday meeting in Bahrain, GCC Secretary General Jasem Al Budaiwi reported that member states had endured over 7,000 ballistic missile and drone attacks since February 28, coinciding with the US and Israel's conflict against Iran. These strikes reportedly impacted airports, ports, power stations, water desalination plants, and oil and gas facilities. The GCC also highlighted the endangerment of global energy and food security, as well as international supply chains, due to disruptions in maritime navigation within the Strait of Hormuz and threats to shipping in the Red Sea and Bab Al Mandeb strait. The bloc called for maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz to revert to its pre-conflict status.

Iran has reportedly increased its attacks on tankers utilizing a US-backed route through the Strait of Hormuz, a critical chokepoint for approximately one-fifth of global oil and liquefied natural gas supplies. On Monday, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps claimed an oil tanker caught fire after striking a naval mine in the Strait of Hormuz, though this claim could not be independently verified. The IRGC alleged that the vessel's crew had disabled its navigation systems and was attempting to exit the waterway via an "unauthorised" southern route. Without providing evidence of a mine, the incident's connection to a US-backed shipping route along Oman’s coast, which Tehran might seek to deter companies from using, remains unclear.

Meanwhile, Iran's hardline Parliament Speaker, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, issued a warning to governments and businesses against financing AI and data companies accused of supporting US and Israeli military operations. Ghalibaf announced plans for a "Gulf Data Authority" and threatened Iranian enforcement measures against companies providing financial, land, or energy resources to such firms. This announcement follows a separate warning from Iran's security chief, Mohsen Rezaei, indicating that regional undersea cables, data centers, and AI facilities could be targeted if hostilities with the US escalate.