Sergey Lavrov of Russia held a telephone conversation with Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan of the United Arab Emirates to discuss the escalating military and political situation in the Persian Gulf.According to a statement from the Russian Foreign Ministry, both leaders exchanged views on what they described as an unprecedented escalation in the region. They stressed the urgent need for an immediate ceasefire to prevent further human casualties and damage to critical civilian infrastructure, including in countries not directly involved in the conflict.
The tensions follow a major military operation launched by the United States and Israel against Iran on February 28, targeting key cities such as Tehran. Washington justified the strikes by citing concerns over Iran’s missile and nuclear capabilities.In response, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps launched retaliatory attacks on Israeli targets and US military bases across the region, including in Bahrain, Jordan, Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE.Reports also indicated that Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and several senior officials were killed during the joint US-Israeli strikes.
Meanwhile, Donald Trump announced a temporary suspension of attacks on Iran’s energy infrastructure until April 6, later extending the deadline briefly to allow space for potential negotiations. However, he also warned of intensified military action, including threats to destroy key infrastructure in Iran if tensions continue.The situation remains volatile, with international calls growing for de-escalation and diplomatic engagement to prevent a wider regional conflict.
