Lead

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has said that continued hostilities around the Strait of Hormuz are not in the interests of either Washington or Tehran, and called for an end to the conflict, which he said affects the global economy. Speaking after taking part in ASEAN meetings in the Philippines, Lavrov also dismissed as "embarrassing" Western narratives that Russia and China are supplying Iran with weapons.

Coverage Comparison

TASS, the Russian state news agency, reported Lavrov's remarks in two separate articles, both dated July 22 and datelined Manila. The first article focused on Lavrov's denial of Russian arms supplies to Iran and his accusation that the West, particularly Washington, is stoking a narrative about such supplies. The second article highlighted Lavrov's assessment that continued hostilities in the Strait of Hormuz would not benefit either the United States or Iran, while also noting the difficulty in predicting the conflict's duration.

Key Claims

  • Lavrov's call for de-escalation: Lavrov said, "For no apparent reason, the West, and Washington in particular, are now stoking a narrative that Russia and China are directly supplying Iran with the weapons to attack US targets. Well, you know, it is embarrassing to even hear that." He stressed, "So, returning to the Strait of Hormuz conflict, we want it to cease."
  • Economic impact: Lavrov said the conflict affects the global economy, and Russia, as part of the global economy, is affected. He noted that even amid sanctions, the majority of countries remain Russia's trade, economic, and investment partners.
  • No Russian arms supplies: Lavrov denied that Russia is supplying Tehran with weapons, calling such rumors "simply embarrassing."
  • Duration of conflict: Lavrov said, "It's hard to prognosticate" as regards how much longer the conflict around Iran may last, but added, "But I have a feeling that continued hostilities may not be in the United States or Iran's best interest."
  • Blame on Western incitement: Lavrov said there are countries on the global stage that "incite the parties of the confrontation, so the conflict is prolonged," but Russia, he said, "is not one of them."