Sergey Lavrov: ‘Dominationism’: Russia accuses US of energy grab, says Iran and Venezuela act ‘about oil’
Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov accused the United States of openly prioritizing oil and energy dominance in its foreign policy and claimed that Washington’s military actions in countries such as Iran and Venezuela are driven by resource interests.In an interview with Russian state television, Lavrov said the United States “only cares about its own well-being” and is prepared to defend its well-being through “any means – coups, kidnappings or assassinations of leaders of countries with natural resources.”
“Energy Dominance”
Lavrov claimed that Washington was no longer hiding its motives, saying: “Venezuela, Iran – our American colleagues are not hiding that this is about oil. They have a dominant position in the global energy market.”He further believes that this approach marks the breakdown of international law. In terms of legal norms, “this takes us back to a world where nothing existed,” he said, according to Reuters, adding that global decisions were increasingly determined by power rather than rules.
Criticism of U.S. Diplomacy
The Russian diplomat also criticized Washington’s diplomatic approach, urging greater engagement rather than confrontation. “I recommend that the United States … first engage in dialogue,” Lavrov said.He accused the United States of reneging on the deal, saying tense relations often stem from shifts in U.S. policy.
Tensions rise in Iran talks
Lavrov’s comments come as diplomacy around Iran restarts, with U.S. envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner set to travel to Pakistan for a new round of talks with Iranian representatives.White House press secretary Carolyn Leavitt said the initiative for the meeting came from Tehran and noted that the United States was open to negotiations but was not under pressure to reach a deal.Meanwhile, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has embarked on a regional trip to coordinate with partners but has yet to formally confirm direct talks with U.S. officials.Lavrov’s comments also touched on broader geopolitical tensions, including the conflict in Ukraine and an energy dispute with Europe.He accused the United States of urging Europe to reduce its reliance on Russian gas and described Western policy as an attempt to return to the “colonial era.”
