Russian Foreign Minister Visits Iran for Talks to Prevent 'Large-Scale War' in Middle East

Russia's Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov arrived in Tehran for talks aimed at preventing a return to a large-scale war in the Middle East, following an eight-month conflict between the U.S. and Iran. Iran's foreign minister reiterated a proposal for a seven-day ceasefire with the U.S. and a phased reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, contingent on the lifting of the U.S. naval blockade and sanctions. The visit comes amid heightened tensions, with 10 attacks on commercial vessels in and near the Strait of Hormuz reported last week, making October the worst month for shipping attacks since the war began in March.