Russian, Saudi FMs discuss situation around Strait of Hormuz

MOSCOW, May 8 (Xinhua) -- Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and his Saudi counterpart, Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud, discussed the situation around the Strait of Hormuz during a phone conversation on Friday, the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs said.

According to a ministry statement, both sides stressed the inadmissibility of a return to escalation and the need to continue ongoing diplomatic contacts aimed at quickly reaching a sustainable, long-term agreement on all aspects of crisis resolution.

They also emphasized the importance of restoring freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz to the level that existed before the end of February, the statement said.

The two sides noted the advisability of resuming efforts to comprehensively normalize relations between Iran and Arab states for the long term.

Russia also reaffirmed its readiness to facilitate progress in these areas while taking into account the interests of all parties involved, according to the statement.