Sergey Lavrov Commends Pakistan’s Mediation Role as Iranian Foreign Minister Araghchi Begins Regional Peace Tour

Russian FM Sergey Lavrov praises Pakistan's mediation between the US and Iran as Iranian FM Araghchi begins a regional tour to secure a lasting peace deal.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 25, 2026, 6:02 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from Anadolu Agency

The Kremlin Validates Islamabad’s Mediation Efforts

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has officially acknowledged Pakistan as a critical intermediary in the high-stakes negotiations currently underway between Washington and Tehran. During a telephone conversation with his Pakistani counterpart, Ishaq Dar, Lavrov expressed appreciation for the diplomatic infrastructure Islamabad has provided since brokering the initial two-week ceasefire on April 8. This Russian endorsement signals a broader international consensus supporting the Pakistani-led peace process, which has successfully transitioned from a local truce into a platform for resolving fundamental disputes regarding the Iranian nuclear dossier and maritime security in the Strait of Hormuz.

Rescheduling the Sharif-Putin Summit

The dialogue between Dar and Lavrov served as a preparatory step for deepening bilateral ties between Moscow and Islamabad, beyond their immediate coordination on the Middle East crisis. A central topic of the call was the rescheduling of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s official visit to Russia. Originally slated for early March 2026, the summit was postponed due to the volatility of the regional security situation following the outbreak of hostilities in late February. Both ministers reaffirmed their commitment to finalizing a new date for the visit, which is expected to focus on energy cooperation and the regional integration of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO).

Araghchi’s Strategic Regional Itinerary

The endorsement from Moscow coincides with the start of an intensive regional tour by Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi. Setting off on Friday, Araghchi’s mission includes high-level sessions in Pakistan, Oman, and Russia. These three nations have emerged as the primary "backchannel" facilitators between the belligerents of the February war. In Islamabad, Araghchi is expected to meet with Pakistani leadership to refine the terms of the indefinite ceasefire extension announced by U.S. President Donald Trump, ensuring that the transition to formal peace talks remains stable across all military fronts.