Russia supports efforts to maintain dialogue between the United States and Iran, Lavrov said in an interview with Izvestia, adding that continued negotiations were essential and should be aimed at achieving a settlement that respects regional interests and excludes military methods.
Speaking about ongoing diplomatic efforts, Lavrov said Moscow strongly supports contacts between Washington and Tehran.
"Of course, they [the US] should be responsible first of all, but we strongly support the dialogue that is somehow taking place between Washington and Tehran through the mediation of the Pakistanis," Lavrov said, adding, "The Saudis and the Egyptians are also trying to provide assistance."
"it is very important that this dialogue continues. … And the agreement that will be reached should take into account the interests of Iran and its neighboring countries," he said.
Turning to regional security, Lavrov said Russia favors broader engagement between Arab states of the Persian Gulf and the Islamic Republic of Iran.
"We consider it important to promote dialogue between the Arab monarchies and the Islamic Republic of Iran, and we are ready to contribute to this," Lavrov said.
He added that Russia had recently updated its security concept for the Persian Gulf and sent it to the six [Persian] Gulf Cooperation Council countries and to Tehran.
"We will encourage dialogue. Of course, to begin with, it is necessary to completely exclude any military methods in the future," the Russian minister said.
Addressing US policy toward Iran, Lavrov said Washington was struggling to resolve the situation.
"President [of the United States Donald] Trump at one stage said that ‘We will destroy Iran as a civilization.’ No one doubts that this goal is unattainable," he said.
"And it’s not for nothing that the United States clearly understands and is uncomfortable with this situation, judging by their statements and actions, and does not know how to get out of it."
On US demands regarding Iran's nuclear program and the Strait of Hormuz, Lavrov said the conditions now being sought by Washington had already existed before American-Israeli aggression.
He noted that the martyred Leader of Islamic Revolution of Iran, Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei had issued a fatwa prohibiting the possession of nuclear weapons and said the International Atomic Energy Agency had repeatedly reported no evidence that Iran's nuclear program was being redirected toward military purposes.
“The IAEA has regularly confirmed that there are no signs that Iran's nuclear energy program is shifting to military needs. The entire nuclear program was under the control of the IAEA," the Russian minister said.
"Everything that is being demanded from Iran now was present before this aggression began," Lavrov said.
In a further criticism of US policy, Lavrov said some arguments used by members of the current US administration lacked credibility.
"There is a movement in the United States that declares itself Christian, but promotes a very specific interpretation of Christian commandments and Christian values in close association with Zionism and Judaism. And therefore, I would not take seriously the words of some figures of the current administration that the Old Testament justifies the activities of the United States," Lavrov said.
"This is a dubious interpretation. I don't think it's serious for politicians to say such things. This can only mean one thing - that there are no other arguments left to explain their actions."
"Actions that have not attracted support anywhere, including the United States itself."