Russia's Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov claims a planned Gulf States-Iran meeting in Oman was delayed, suggesting unnamed actors are blocking regional normalization and stoking conflict.
Lavrov's statement comes amid ongoing tensions in the Middle East. He stopped short of explicitly naming who he believes is sabotaging diplomatic efforts, though the accompanying commentary points to the U.S.
The accusation fits Moscow's broader narrative positioning itself as a stabilizing force while criticizing Western involvement in the region. No independent confirmation yet on whether the Oman meeting was actually scheduled or why it might have been postponed.
Gulf-Iran dialogue has been sporadic, with China brokering a Saudi-Iran détente in 2023. Any new multilateral talks would signal a shift in regional diplomacy.
Lavrov's statement comes amid ongoing tensions in the Middle East. He stopped short of explicitly naming who he believes is sabotaging diplomatic efforts, though the accompanying commentary points to the U.S.
The accusation fits Moscow's broader narrative positioning itself as a stabilizing force while criticizing Western involvement in the region. No independent confirmation yet on whether the Oman meeting was actually scheduled or why it might have been postponed.
Gulf-Iran dialogue has been sporadic, with China brokering a Saudi-Iran détente in 2023. Any new multilateral talks would signal a shift in regional diplomacy.