Lavrov Says Moscow Stayed Quiet on Reports of Post-Midterm Strikes on Iran

Sergey Lavrov wants one thing clear: Russia didn't come knocking. The foreign minister told reporters in Minsk on Tuesday that Moscow made no specific approach to Washington over reports suggesting strikes on Iran could follow the US midterm elections, according to Breaking The News. He also said the reports remain unconfirmed.

That denial lands in the middle of a noisy week. Several media outlets have floated the idea that Washington carried out the previous day's attacks on Iran's Qeshm Island, and US President Donald Trump said the US military might have to target Iran's Pickaxe Mountain. None of those claims have been confirmed either.

The region isn't standing still while the war of words plays out. Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi warned Tuesday that Tehran would act if nuclear weapons were used against the country, saying its hands are not tied. He described Iran as still being in a state of war after the Qeshm strikes, while noting Tehran keeps exchanging messages with Washington through Qatari mediators.

Qatar, for its part, sees movement. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Majed al-Ansari said Tuesday that talks with the United States and Iran have made progress, with both sides still committed to the mediation process and studying proposals for a possible resolution. He added that regional and Gulf states have agreed to avoid escalation.

So where does that leave things? Lavrov's comments close off one thread — no Russian inquiry to the US — but leave the bigger questions open. The strike reports stay unconfirmed, the mediation keeps grinding, and Washington and Tehran keep talking through Doha.