Brief by Shorts91 Newsdesk / 07:30pm on 19 Oct 2026,Monday International
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi blamed the United States and Israel for regional insecurity and rising tensions in the Strait of Hormuz, urging neighbouring countries to resolve disputes through diplomacy and establish a joint security arrangement without foreign forces. Speaking alongside Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov in Tehran on Monday, Araghchi described the war and economic blockade as the principal sources of insecurity. Lavrov’s visit comes as Moscow seeks to mediate the conflict, with talks between Tehran and Washington stalled. The West Asia war began in February with US-Israeli strikes on Iran. Despite an April ceasefire and a June memorandum of understanding, tensions around the strategic waterway have continued. (PC: Reuters)
