Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov is due to arrive in Iran today in his first visit since the outbreak of the Middle East war, as Russia seeks to play a mediating role, AFP reports.

Iranian foreign ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei has confirmed the trip, saying in a statement that the two sides will discuss “regional and international developments”.

Lavrov, who is scheduled to meet with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, has said Moscow’s efforts are “aimed at preventing the return of a large-scale war”, with talks stalled between Tehran and Washington.

The visit comes after Russian President Vladimir Putin told his Iranian counterpart Masoud Pezeshkian in early October that Moscow was prepared to contribute to mediation efforts.