"Against the background of the ongoing exchange of accusations between Washington and Tehran, there is an increase in the number of US naval groups, which creates the risk of an armed clash," Lavrov said.
He noted that any “careless movement” could lead to conflict, fraught with unpredictable and destructive consequences. ”
The Russian Foreign Minister said that this state of affairs cannot but arouse Moscow’s “serious alarm”, and therefore Russia intends to continue to insist that all parties take steps to de-escalate and resolve existing problems by political and diplomatic means.
"This implies, above all, the refusal of ultimatums, sanctions and blackmail on the part of Washington," Lavrov added.
Earlier, Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said that lifting the US sanctions against Iran would open up opportunities for talks between Washington and Tehran.