Russia and Iran call for ceasefire in Gaza

Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian both spoke in favour of a ceasefire.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov shakes hands with Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian during the second 3+3 Regional platform summit in Tehran, Iran October 23, 2023 (photo credit: RUSSIAN FOREIGN MINISTRY/HANDOUT VIA REUTERS)
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov shakes hands with Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian during the second 3+3 Regional platform summit in Tehran, Iran October 23, 2023
(photo credit: RUSSIAN FOREIGN MINISTRY/HANDOUT VIA REUTERS)

Russia and Iran's foreign ministers on Sunday called for a ceasefire in Gaza and said that urgent assistance must be given to the civilian population there.

Russia said Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov spoke to Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian at the request of Tehran.

"During the conversation, main attention was focused on the current situation in the zone of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict," Russia's foreign ministry said.

"General concern was expressed about the ongoing armed confrontation in the Gaza Strip," it said. "The need for an early ceasefire and urgent assistance to the affected civilian population was stressed."

 Smoke rises after IDF airstrikes in Gaza, as seen from southern Israel, amid the ongoing war between Israel and the Palestinian group Hamas, November 19, 2023. (credit: REUTERS/ALEXANDER ERMOCHENKO)
Smoke rises after IDF airstrikes in Gaza, as seen from southern Israel, amid the ongoing war between Israel and the Palestinian group Hamas, November 19, 2023. (credit: REUTERS/ALEXANDER ERMOCHENKO)

Russia's relationship with Iran

Russia, which has relationships with Iran, Hamas and major Arab powers as well as with the Palestinians and with Israel, has repeatedly accused the United States and the West of ignoring the need for an independent Palestinian state within 1967 borders.

Israel launched its offensive after the terrorist Hamas group's Oct. 7 rampage inside Israel.