Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov discussed with Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian in a telephone conversation about the escalation of the situation in the middles East, the US and UK strikes on Yemen, the Russian Foreign Ministry said on Monday.
"Special attention was paid to the escalation of tensions in the Middle East. The foreign ministers strongly condemned the mass strikes on the territory of Yemen undertaken by a group of countries led by the United States and Great Britain. The Ministers called for an immediate ceasefire in the Gaza Strip and unhindered humanitarian access to the enclave to provide urgent assistance to the affected civilian population," the statement said, according to Sputnik.
The ministers also discussed the tasks of further developing contacts and coordination at all levels, emphasizing the mutual commitment to the fundamental principles of Russian-Iranian relations, including unconditional respect for sovereignty, territorial integrity and other principles of the UN Charter, the ministry added.
The Iranian foreign ministry later released a statement on the phone saying that the Iranian foreign minister received a phone call from his Russian counterpart on Monday.
During a telephone conversation on Monday, Amir-Abdollahian and Lavrov exchanged views on some issues of mutual interest, as well as regional developments, including the latest situation in the Red Sea.
Emphasizing the determination of the two countries to develop and strengthen cooperation between Tehran and Moscow, the top Iranian diplomat expressed hope that the implementation of the remaining agreements between the two countries would be carried out seriously.
Referring to the significant developments in the region, especially in Gaza, Amir-Abdollahian reiterated that the continuation of the Zionist regime's attacks on Gaza and the US interventionist role in the Red Sea will create more insecurity in the region.
Describing attacks on Yemen as a strategic mistake for the US, he underlined that the US is looking to militarize the Red Sea under the pretext of imposing a new resolution, but undoubtedly such actions will increase insecurity in the region.
Lavrov, for his part, termed Tehran and Moscow’s ties as strategic and friendly, noting that Russia is firmly committed to Iran's sovereignty and territorial integrity, including in the case of Iranian islands in the Persian Gulf. "This is Moscow's unchangeable position and should never be questioned."
Pointing to the current situation in the Red Sea, he highlighted that it is the result of escalation in Palestine which has created a tense situation for the region and other countries.
Stressing the facilitation of trade and transit issues between the two countries and the need to expand bilateral relations, the two foreign ministers emphasized the importance of finalizing the comprehensive and strategic cooperation agreement between the two countries.
MNA