Lavrov backs Iran, hours after Trump says Russia doing ‘very little’ to help Tehran

Lavrov accused Washington and Israel of launching what he described as an unprovoked military campaign against the country while reaffirming Moscow’s commitment to continue supporting Tehran.

His remarks came hours after U.S. President Donald Trump defended easing economic pressure on Moscow, arguing that further sanctions could jeopardize negotiations to end the war in Ukraine. He also indicated a desire to ensure that Russia does not provide further support for Iran.

“Russia is doing very little, if anything, to help the Islamic Republic of Iran, compared to what they could be doing, and I want to keep it that way,” Trump wrote on Truth Social on Sunday.

The U.S. president stated that he did not wish to risk pushing Russia away from the negotiation table by imposing additional economic pressure, despite criticism of his recent waiver of some sanctions against Moscow.

“I am still seeking a peaceful resolution to the war between Russia and Ukraine, and I cannot allow actions that would inadvertently push Moscow away from the negotiating table,” Trump wrote.

Moscow pledges continued support for Tehran

Lavrov said Russia remained willing to help find a diplomatic solution to the conflict between Iran and the United States and Israel, which he characterized as a crisis driven by U.S. and Israeli military action.

“Our country remains ready to take part in the search for mutually acceptable solutions to address this man‑made crisis,” he said, according to reports by Kremlin‑controlled media.

He welcomed Tehran’s stated inclination toward dialogue and called for a return to conditions that existed before the tensions in the Persian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz, including ensuring free navigation and protecting against renewed hostilities.

Lavrov further asserted that Moscow had actively worked within the United Nations to counter strikes aimed at justifying U.S. and Israeli attacks on Iran, while delivering humanitarian aid such as medicine and regular food shipments.

Moreover, he clarified that Russia has no intention of putting its existing economic and investment agreements with Tehran on hold. "Amidst difficult circumstances, we will continue implementing our agreements with Iran in the economic sphere," Lavrov declared.

Trump defends easing pressure on Moscow

In his own Truth Social post, Trump directed fresh criticism at Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, accusing him of damaging global diesel markets through ongoing strikes against Russian oil refineries.

Trump claimed that Kyiv’s assaults—rather than Moscow’s invasion or Washington’s war on Iran—were harming American farms, businesses and consumers, and he praised Russia for agreeing to supply diesel to international markets at relatively low prices.

He also accused Zelenskyy of lacking interest in concluding the war, suggesting that Ukraine missed earlier chances to secure a more favorable settlement.

His statements followed Washington’s decision to lift a new sanctions package targeting Russia and to ease restrictions on Russian diesel, moves that have been criticized for potentially generating additional revenue for Moscow while the war against Ukraine persists.

The White House has justified its stance as part of broader efforts to preserve peace negotiations and alleviate pressure on global fuel markets.