In a significant geopolitical shift, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov announced that Moscow is prepared to replace Iranian crude oil supplies to China and other countries if US actions squeeze Tehran’s exports. The statement came after President Trump announced a blockade of the Strait of Hormuz — a chokepoint for roughly 20% of global oil — following the breakdown of Pakistani-mediated peace talks with Iran.
Trump had previously sought European NATO support to secure the strait, which Iran closed to “enemy ships” in retaliation for a US-Israeli bombing campaign. Lavrov framed Russia’s offer as helping nations withstand American “aggressive adventures,” positioning Moscow as a stabilizing force in global energy markets even as the broader Middle East conflict escalates.
