Russia and Oman Agree to Prevent Escalation in Gulf Region, Stress Diplomatic Settlement

Moscow. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and Omani Foreign Minister Badr bin Hamad Al Busaidi held a telephone conversation on May 7, discussing the latest situation in the Middle East with a particular focus on the Persian Gulf region.

Both sides emphasized the importance of preventing any relapse into violence or damage to civilian infrastructure as a result of strikes against Iran or neighboring Arab states, according to the Russian Foreign Ministry.

The ministers stressed the need to avoid artificially fueling tensions at the UN Security Council and to facilitate the immediate return of the situation to the path of a political and diplomatic settlement — on the basis of international law and with due regard for the legitimate interests of all countries in the region.

Lavrov reaffirmed Russia’s readiness to provide the necessary assistance to achieve these goals, including on the basis of the principles and practical steps set out in Russia’s Collective Security Concept for the Persian Gulf.

The two foreign ministers also discussed further steady development of multifaceted cooperation between Russia and Oman, the Russian Foreign Ministry stated.