Russia has announced its readiness, alongside key international partners, to help broker a political and diplomatic resolution to the escalating conflict in the Middle East, as concerns grow over rising violence and damage to critical infrastructure across the region.
In a statement released on Thursday, the Russian Foreign Ministry said Moscow is “deeply concerned” about the ongoing armed conflict in the Persian Gulf and warned of the increasing risk of further escalation. The ministry highlighted the growing scale of destruction affecting energy facilities and other vital infrastructure in Iran and neighboring Arab states.
According to the statement, Russia believes that the current crisis stems from what it described as “unprovoked aggression” by the United States and Israel against Iran. It called for an immediate cessation of hostilities, stressing the urgent need to halt military operations to prevent further deterioration of the situation.
“The scale of damage being inflicted on energy and other vital infrastructure in Iran and neighboring Arab states is growing. We call for the swiftest possible cessation of hostilities,” the ministry said.
Moscow emphasized that the first and most critical step toward de-escalation should be the immediate withdrawal by the United States and Israel from their ongoing military campaign. The statement framed this as essential to creating conditions for meaningful dialogue and long-term stability.
Russia also signaled its willingness to work collaboratively with other global and regional powers, including China and Türkiye, as well as other “like-minded partners,” to facilitate negotiations aimed at resolving the conflict. The goal, according to the ministry, is to achieve a sustainable political settlement that reflects the interests of all countries in the region.
“Russia, together with China, Türkiye, and like-minded partners, is ready to facilitate the resolution of the conflict and the search for solutions to existing disagreements through political and diplomatic means,” the statement said.
The Russian Foreign Ministry further pointed to a recent opinion piece by Badr bin Hamad bin Hamood Al Busaidi, published in The Economist on March 18, 2026, describing it as “thoughtful and wise.” The article reportedly outlines proposals for establishing a comprehensive security framework in the Middle East and the Persian Gulf.
Moscow said the ideas presented by the Omani foreign minister align closely with its own vision for a balanced regional security system—one that takes into account the interests of all states and promotes stability through cooperation rather than confrontation.
Among the key proposals highlighted are the need to initiate a broad, region-wide negotiation process and to develop confidence-building measures, particularly in sensitive areas such as nuclear energy. The ministry also stressed the importance of transparency and mutual security guarantees as essential components of any long-term solution.
In addition, Russia reiterated its earlier initiative aimed at creating a collective security framework in the Gulf region. This concept seeks to foster lasting peace and cooperative relations among all countries bordering the Persian Gulf, often referred to as littoral states.
“We remain ready to continue providing constructive assistance in resolving the conflict and addressing existing contradictions in the Middle East through political and diplomatic means,” the ministry said, underscoring its commitment to facilitating dialogue.
As the conflict continues to intensify, with widespread implications for regional stability and global energy markets, Russia’s proposal highlights a growing push among major powers for a diplomatic pathway to peace. Whether such efforts will gain traction amid ongoing hostilities remains uncertain, but the call for negotiation signals a recognition of the urgent need to prevent further escalation and secure long-term stability in the region.
