Russia believes that a solution to restore navigation in the Strait of Hormuz must be sought at the negotiating table, stated Maria Zakharova at a press conference. She also reiterated Moscow's view that the military campaign by the United States and Israel against Iran is unfounded and was not provoked, calling for an immediate cessation of hostilities and a shift to political and diplomatic channels. US President Donald Trump ordered his allies to deploy warships in the Strait of Hormuz, a vital maritime route through which about one-fifth of the world's oil is transported. However, most US allies rejected the request. Meanwhile, Iran's ambassador to South Africa, Mansour Shakib Mehr, warned that Tehran will continue its military response in exercise of its 'legitimate right to self-defense' as long as it perceives an ongoing threat. Separately, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov stated that the trilateral working group between Russia, the United States, and Ukraine on security issues is currently suspended. However, the bilateral working group between Russia and the US on economic issues continues its activities, Peskov noted, adding that 'the two groups operate separately, as they have different agendas.' Three rounds of trilateral talks in the Russia-US-Ukraine format have been held since the beginning of this year, the last one in Geneva, Switzerland, on February 17-18. Zakharova also emphasized that countries joining the proposed US coalition to escort ships through the Strait of Hormuz would, under international law, become parties to the conflict and accomplices to the aggression of the United States and Israel against Iran. 'Russia's position on this issue remains unchanged,' she concluded.
