In a telephone conversation, Lavrov stressed the importance of preventing a return to armed confrontation and reiterated that the conflict has no military solution, according to the ministry’s statement.

The call followed recent talks between the United States and Iran in Pakistan, which ended without agreement. Araqchi briefed Lavrov on the discussions, the ministry said, providing details of negotiations that failed to produce a settlement.

Russia has positioned itself as a potential mediator in the conflict, signaling willingness to engage diplomatically as tensions remain high despite a temporary ceasefire and ongoing international efforts to restart negotiations.

In a readout issued by Downing Street, a spokesperson said the two leaders discussed the failed negotiations held in Pakistan over the weekend and agreed it was “vital” to maintain the ceasefire while seeking a path forward through dialogue.

Starmer, who recently returned from meetings in the Middle East, also said international partners were working to restore safe navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, a key global energy transit route, and reaffirmed Britain’s commitment to Oman’s security.

UK Health Secretary Wes Streeting described the breakdown in talks as “disappointing,” while emphasizing that continued engagement remained necessary to achieve a sustainable end to the conflict.

Speaking to Sky News, he said diplomacy often requires persistence, adding that lack of immediate success did not diminish the value of ongoing negotiations.

Streeting also criticized comments made earlier by U.S. President Donald Trump during the crisis, calling them “extraordinary,” particularly remarks he said appeared to threaten Iranian civilization.

Separately, Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong called for the continuation of the Middle East ceasefire and a return to negotiations, stating that the outcome of the Islamabad talks was disappointing but underscoring the need for further diplomatic efforts.

The statements come after high-level U.S.-Iran talks ended without agreement, prolonging uncertainty over a conflict that has disrupted regional stability and global energy markets.

Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar said it was “imperative” that both parties maintain their ceasefire commitments, adding that Islamabad would continue facilitating dialogue between Washington and Tehran following the inconclusive talks.

U.S. Vice President JD Vance, who led the American delegation, said the absence of a deal was “bad news for Iran much more than it’s bad news for the United States,” reiterating Washington’s demand for a firm commitment from Tehran not to pursue nuclear weapons capability.

He said the United States had made its “red lines” clear, including preventing Iran from acquiring both nuclear weapons and the means to rapidly develop them.

Iranian officials rejected the U.S. position, with state-linked Tasnim news agency reporting that “excessive” American demands had hindered progress. Tehran signaled that discussions would continue, with technical teams expected to exchange documents in follow-up engagements.

Iran’s parliamentary speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf said the U.S. had failed to build trust during the talks despite what he described as “forward-looking” proposals from the Iranian side. He emphasized longstanding skepticism rooted in past negotiations, saying Washington must demonstrate credibility before progress can be made.

Iran’s foreign ministry also downplayed the outcome, stating that no agreement had been expected in a single session and expressing confidence that diplomatic contacts would continue with Pakistan and other regional actors.

Former Iranian foreign minister Mohammad Javad Zarif attributed the breakdown to what he called U.S. attempts to “dictate” terms, warning that negotiations with Iran would not succeed under unilateral conditions.

The Islamabad meeting marked the highest-level direct engagement between the United States and Iran in more than a decade and the most senior talks since the 1979 Islamic Revolution.

The discussions were aimed at halting a conflict that began over six weeks ago and has driven up global oil prices while threatening key maritime routes.Central to the negotiations was the Strait of Hormuz, a critical chokepoint for roughly one-fifth of global energy supplies.

The U.S. military said it was preparing to ensure safe navigation through the waterway, including mine-clearing operations, while Iranian state media denied any U.S. naval transit in the area.

Tehran has demanded control over the strait, war reparations, and broader ceasefire arrangements extending to regional theaters including Lebanon. U.S. officials have focused on securing freedom of navigation and curbing Iran’s nuclear enrichment capabilities.

The talks took place under tight security in Islamabad, where thousands of paramilitary forces were deployed. Pakistani officials described fluctuating tensions during the discussions, with “mood swings” and intermittent progress reported by sources familiar with the negotiations.

The Iranian delegation, which arrived dressed in black to mourn those killed in the conflict, also raised concerns about a U.S. airstrike on a school near a military compound, an incident the Pentagon has said is under investigation.

Despite the impasse, analysts noted the seniority and size of the Iranian delegation as an indication of Tehran’s willingness to engage, even as deep mistrust continues to define the diplomatic landscape.

The negotiation are aimed at ending a six-week conflict between the United States and Iran that has killed thousands across the Middle East and disrupted global energy supplies, contributing to rising inflation and slower economic growth.

The arrival of the U.S. delegation marks a key step in diplomatic efforts to de-escalate the conflict, with Washington and Tehran expected to begin negotiations shortly in the Pakistani capital.

Pakistan has implemented heightened security measures in Islamabad as it hosts the talks, which are seen as a critical opportunity to stabilize the region and address broader economic fallout linked to the war.

Speaking before boarding Air Force Two, Vance said Washington was open to constructive negotiations but warned that progress would depend on Tehran’s willingness to engage in good faith.

“We’re going to try to have a positive negotiation,” Vance told reporters. “If the Iranians are willing to negotiate in good faith, we’re certainly willing to extend the open hand.”

The diplomatic effort comes amid heightened tensions following a two-week ceasefire agreement that has been repeatedly tested by mutual accusations of non-compliance.

Pakistan is hosting the talks as part of ongoing international efforts to prevent further escalation between Washington and Tehran, with the outcome seen as critical to maintaining regional stability.

The statement came as hostilities persist despite a two-week truce between Washington and Tehran following weeks of heightened conflict. While Pakistan and Iran have indicated that the ceasefire should apply more broadly across the region, including Lebanon, the United States and Israel have maintained that the agreement does not extend to Israeli operations there.

“Pakistan condemns, in the strongest terms, the ongoing Israeli aggression against Lebanon,” the foreign ministry said, adding that the strikes had resulted in civilian casualties and extensive damage to infrastructure.

It described the actions as a “blatant violation of international law and fundamental humanitarian principles.”Islamabad called on the international community to take “urgent and concrete steps” to halt the attacks, warning that continued escalation risks derailing broader peace efforts in an already volatile region.

The ministry also reiterated Pakistan’s support for Lebanon’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, expressing solidarity with its government and people.Lebanon has long been a focal point of regional tensions due to the presence of Hezbollah, an Iran-backed armed group operating along Israel’s northern border.

Israel has repeatedly conducted airstrikes targeting Hezbollah positions, arguing that the group poses a direct security threat.

The continuation of Israeli operations in Lebanon despite the U.S.-Iran ceasefire highlights the limited scope of the truce and underscores the risk of a wider regional spillover, as multiple actors remain engaged in parallel conflicts.

United Arab Emirates presidential adviser Anwar Gargash said the UAE had emerged stronger from the conflict, despite efforts to avoid escalation.

“The UAE emerged victorious from a war we sincerely sought to avoid,” Gargash wrote on X, adding that the country was better positioned to navigate regional complexities and influence future developments.

In Oman, officials stressed the importance of mediation and sustained engagement, with the foreign minister pledging support for initiatives aimed at achieving “strong and enduring regional security.”

Omani authorities urged Washington and Tehran to pursue serious negotiations to secure a durable peace.Saudi Arabia also backed diplomatic efforts, with its foreign ministry emphasizing the need for an agreement that addresses underlying causes of instability and long-term threats to regional security.

The responses highlight a broader regional push to consolidate the ceasefire into a lasting settlement, amid concerns over the potential for renewed tensions and the wider impact on Middle East stability.

Macron made the remarks at the start of a defense meeting with advisers and cabinet members, according to official statements.While endorsing the ceasefire as a step toward de-escalation, Macron emphasized that broader regional stability would require addressing tensions affecting Lebanon.

The French president did not provide further details on how Lebanon could be incorporated into the agreement, but underscored the urgency of the situation there in the context of ongoing regional developments.

France has been actively engaged in diplomatic efforts in the Middle East, and Macron’s comments reflect Paris’s continued focus on preventing spillover effects from wider conflicts.

Senior officials from both countries are participating in the discussions, which are being facilitated by China as part of efforts to broker a negotiated settlement between the neighbours, long linked by security ties but increasingly at odds over militancy and cross-border attacks.

The talks are expected to focus on securing a ceasefire and reopening key border crossings to restore trade and travel flows, according to sources cited in earlier reports, signalling an attempt to stabilise economic and civilian movement disrupted by months of hostilities.

“Our efforts for talks will continue despite the problems that will keep coming,” a Pakistani Foreign Ministry spokesperson said during a regular media briefing, underscoring Islamabad’s position that dialogue remains the primary channel for de-escalation.

Pakistan has also acknowledged China’s role in facilitating the engagement, describing Beijing as an important global actor whose diplomatic efforts are complementary to regional stability initiatives.

Tensions between the two countries have escalated sharply since late 2025, with Islamabad accusing the Afghan Taliban authorities of harbouring militants from Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan, an insurgent group it says is responsible for attacks inside Pakistan.

The Afghan Taliban has rejected those allegations, maintaining that militancy within Pakistan is an internal issue and denying any official support or sanctuary for the group.

The two countries share a 2,600-kilometre border that has historically been porous and contested, and recent fighting has marked a significant deterioration in ties that had initially shown signs of alignment following the Taliban’s return to power in Kabul in 2021.

Speaking at the Saudi-backed Future Investment Initiative summit in Miami, Trump said, “We’re negotiating now but they have to open it up,” referring to the vital maritime route that has been largely disrupted during the war.

The Strait of Hormuz, through which roughly one-fifth of global oil supply typically passes, has seen sharply reduced traffic since the conflict began, contributing to rising energy prices and global market uncertainty.

Trump said Iran was “on the run” and repeated claims that its military and nuclear capabilities had been significantly weakened, despite Tehran’s denials.U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio earlier warned that Iran could seek to impose a “tolling system” on vessels transiting the strait, raising concerns over long-term disruptions to global shipping.

Trump praised Mohammed bin Salman and other Gulf leaders from the United Arab Emirates, Qatar and Bahrain for what he described as efforts to promote regional stability.Calling the Saudi crown prince a “close friend,” Trump said Riyadh had played a constructive role in ongoing diplomatic outreach.

The U.S. president also questioned Washington’s commitment to NATO, suggesting the United States might reconsider its obligations if European allies continued to withhold support in the Iran conflict.

“We would have always been there for them but now I guess we don’t have to be,” Trump said, framing the issue as one of burden-sharing within the alliance.

The conflict, now entering its fourth week, has disrupted shipping through the Hormuz corridor, with only limited vessel movement reported amid heightened security risks and ongoing military activity in the region.