Russia and UAE Back Secure Passage Through Strait of Hormuz

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and Emirati Foreign Minister Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan held talks in Abu Dhabi on Saturday, with the Persian Gulf's mounting tensions and maritime security dominating the agenda. In a readout, the Russian Foreign Ministry said the two stressed the need for what it called stable, unimpeded and secure navigation in the Strait of Hormuz. Both sides also backed settling disputes through political and diplomatic means rather than confrontation.

Lavrov went a step further, saying Moscow is ready to work with other countries to build what he described as a comprehensive security architecture for the region. The meeting took place during his visit to Abu Dhabi for the Sir Bani Yas International Forum.

Ukraine came up too. Lavrov restated Moscow's position that any long-term settlement depends on what he called the complete and irreversible eradication of its root causes.

The diplomacy unfolded against live danger in the same waters. Iran's Islamic Republic of Iran Navy Aviation said another oil tanker caught fire after striking a sea mine in the Strait of Hormuz, claiming the vessel had ignored earlier warnings and sailed an unauthorized route. The navy warned that any tanker skipping the routes Iran designates would meet the same fate. Further south, Houthi military spokesman Yahya Saree claimed ballistic missile strikes on Saudi troop positions in Yemen's Lahj governorate, while the Saudi-led coalition's Turki al-Maliki said its air defenses intercepted and destroyed two drones aimed at Riyadh and southern regions.