Russia and Saudi Arabia pledged to deepen political and economic ties after Foreign Ministers Sergei Lavrov and Prince Faisal bin Farhan met in Moscow on Friday. Both officials described bilateral relations as “excellent” and said they intend to expand a strategic partnership that already spans energy, trade and regional diplomacy. Lavrov said the two governments are working on scrapping visa requirements and will launch direct flights between the two countries in October, moves he said should boost investment and tourism. He also underscored continued coordination within the OPEC+ alliance, stating that current oil-supply agreements are being observed and that Moscow and Riyadh will keep cooperating on market stability. Turning to regional security, the ministers welcomed the cease-fire that ended the recent 12-day conflict between Iran and Israel and urged all parties to preserve it. They called for an immediate and lasting truce in Gaza and the West Bank, backed the creation of a Palestinian state, and voiced support for French efforts to convene a conference on reviving the two-state solution. On Iran’s nuclear programme, both diplomats rejected any military option and pressed Tehran to grant full access to the International Atomic Energy Agency, with Lavrov noting that Russia remains in contact with Iranian and U.S. officials to restart talks. The ministers also highlighted converging positions on maintaining Syria’s territorial integrity and praised Saudi initiatives aimed at stabilising Yemen.