Iran FM in Russia as Lebanon strikes kill 14, tensions persist despite ceasefire

Abbas Araghchi has arrived in Russia for high-level talks with Vladimir Putin, as diplomatic efforts to ease tensions in the Middle East continue to struggle for progress.

The visit comes after Araghchi held meetings in Pakistan and Oman over the weekend, part of a broader push to coordinate regional positions and explore pathways to end the ongoing conflict involving Iran, Israel, and their allies.

Despite a ceasefire between Iran and the United States being extended earlier this month, the situation remains volatile. In Lebanon, fresh violence has underscored the fragility of the truce between Hezbollah and the Israel Defense Forces.

According to Lebanon’s health ministry, Israeli air strikes on Sunday killed 14 people, including women and children, and left dozens injured. The Israeli military said the strikes targeted sites allegedly used by Hezbollah to launch attacks, following evacuation warnings in parts of southern Lebanon.

The IDF also reported that a 19-year-old Israeli soldier was killed and six others wounded in a drone attack attributed to Hezbollah.

Meanwhile, tensions continue to rise in the strategic Strait of Hormuz, a critical global energy corridor. Iran has kept the waterway effectively closed, citing what it described as repeated ceasefire violations by the US and Israel.

The disruption has left around 2,400 seafarers stranded aboard more than 100 tankers, according to industry groups, with crews facing uncertainty over when they will be able to return home.

Diplomatic momentum also suffered a setback after Donald Trump cancelled a planned visit by US envoys to Pakistan for talks with Iran, saying the trip would take “too much time.”

While both sides continue to signal openness to dialogue, no direct talks between Iran and the US have taken place, and analysts say the chances of a breakthrough remain uncertain.

As Araghchi’s discussions in Russia get underway, attention is now on whether Moscow can play a role in easing tensions and reviving stalled negotiations.