The Russian foreign ministry reported that Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov discussed safety of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz with Iran's Foreign minister Abbas Araghchi by telephone on Thursday.

The statement posted on the website of the Ministry said that the call was initiated by Iran.

The parties exchanged their views about the discussions at the U.N. The statement stated that the Security Council was concerned about the safety of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, and also addressed other consequences from the unprovoked attack by the U.S.?and Israel on Iran.

The statement stated that Lavrov, Araghchi discussed "efforts made by?a number of nations to de-escalate the tensions".

Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov stated that the strait was opened for Russia.

Ushakov, a Russian state-owned television broadcaster, said: "It's open for us."

Earlier, British foreign minister Yvette Cooper stated that about 40 countries attended a virtual conference to discuss joint action in order to reopen?Strait of Hormuz & stop Iran from holding "the global economic hostage".

The meeting was held after U.S. president?Donald Trump stated that securing waterways is a matter for others to resolve.

The 'U.S. and Israeli war against Iran' has almost completely halted shipments through the Strait of Hormuz of one-fifth of?the world's oil, liquefied gas and natural gas. This has caused oil supply disruptions and a spike in prices.

The?Russian Foreign Ministry stated at the end of march that it opposed Iran's blocking of?the Strait. However, they added that this situation should be seen "in the context" of the global situation. Reporting by Alex Richardson; Editing and rewriting by Cynthia Osterman

(source: Reuters)