⚡️ Russia's Foreign Ministry statement on developments in the Persian Gulf Moscow is seriously concerned over the ongoing armed confrontation in the Persian Gulf and the risks of escalation. The scale of damage to energy and other critical infrastructure in Iran and neighboring Arab states continues to grow. 🔉 Audio statement by Maria Zakharova (in Russian) We call for an immediate cessation of hostilities resulting from the unprovoked aggression by the US and Israel against Iran. Russia, together with China, Türkiye and other like-minded partners, stands ready to facilitate a settlement and help resolve existing differences through political and diplomatic means, with a view to achieving long-term, sustainable stabilisation in the region, taking into account the interests of all states concerned. We consistently advocate creating conditions for peaceful coexistence, security and good-neighbourly relations between the Arab countries, with which we maintain friendly ties, and Iran. ❗️ We emphasise that the first step must be an immediate end to the US and Israel’s military venture. In this context, we note the thoughtful and balanced article by Badr bin Hamad Al Busaidi, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Sultanate of Oman, published in The Economist on March 18, 2026. The proposals outlined in the article are largely in line with our own vision of establishing a security architecture in the Middle East and the Persian Gulf based on a balance of interests among all regional states. We share the Omani Minister’s view on the need to launch an inclusive regional dialogue aimed at reaching agreements on confidence-building and transparency measures in the field of nuclear energy, as well as mutual security guarantees. 👉 Russia has for several years been promoting an initiative to develop a concept of collective security in the Gulf, aimed at establishing lasting peace and cooperation among all littoral states. We remain ready to continue providing constructive assistance in resolving the conflict and overcoming existing contradictions in the Middle East through political and diplomatic means, including by fostering conditions for joint efforts towards a sustainable settlement based on a balance of the legitimate interests of all countries in the region.