Sergei Lavrov defends Russia's alliances with North Korea and Iran

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has defended Moscow’s alliances with North Korea and Iran, rejecting Western characterizations of these nations as ‘pariah states.’ In an interview with RBC, Lavrov argued that the isolation of these countries was provoked by the United States following the Cold War.

Regarding North Korea, Lavrov supported Pyongyang’s stance that nuclear weapons serve as its primary security guarantee against U.S. military presence in South Korea and Japan. He noted that former U.S. President Donald Trump had previously referred to Kim Jong-un as a friend rather than a pariah.

On Iran, Lavrov accused the United States and Israel of conducting bombings in June 2025 during active negotiations. He also addressed tensions regarding the Strait of Hormuz, noting that Tehran is demanding the lifting of sanctions or the implementation of transit fees in exchange for reopening the waterway.