IRAN FOREIGN MINISTER SAYS RUSSIA , IRAN HAVE NEVER WORKED SO CLOSELY

What happened: Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Russia and Iran have "never" worked so closely, after hosting Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov in Iran on Monday, Lavrov's first visit since the conflict began. Key numbers: One-fifth of the world's oil passes through the Strait of Hormuz in normal times. Why it matters: Moscow is seeking a mediating role in the Middle East war, with talks stalled between the United States and Iran. Lavrov said Moscow's efforts aimed at preventing the return of a large-scale war.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Russia and Iran have "never" worked so closely, after hosting Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov in Iran on Monday, Lavrov's first visit since the conflict began.

Moscow is seeking a mediating role in the Middle East war, with talks stalled between the United States and Iran. Lavrov said Moscow's efforts aimed at preventing the return of a large-scale war.