Lavrov stated that certain actors in the region may be seeking to provoke Hezbollah in Lebanon in order to draw the United States into a broader war. He told Sky News Arabia that Hezbollah possesses a capacity to influence events far beyond its visible actions, and that some powers could be attempting to spur Washington into intervention for their own ends. The Russian foreign minister emphasized the imperative to prevent a major conflict even as regional tensions escalate, signaling that international players must tread carefully to avoid an uncontrollable escalation while monitoring the evolving dynamics around Lebanon and Israel.
Lavrov argued that Hezbollah is more restrained than its capabilities would suggest, yet warned that deliberate provocations could push the United States toward a military response for the same strategic objective. He implied that the Biden administration, along with other leaders, appears aware of the danger and that diplomacy should guide policy to prevent a widening war. In his view, the priority is to avoid a large-scale confrontation while diplomatic channels remain open, and the aim is to cool the rhetoric rather than feed it with new flashpoints that could destabilize the broader region.
He underscored that the core focus right now should be a ceasefire in Gaza, unhindered humanitarian assistance for those affected, and a credible path toward a Palestinian state. He warned that without these steps, violence could reemerge across the Middle East, threatening a new cycle of hostilities that would spill over into neighboring states and complicate efforts to secure stability for civilians caught in the conflict.
On the evening of September 17, reports described large-scale incidents related to Hezbollah members in Lebanon involving the use of personal pagers that triggered explosive effects in several areas. The resulting toll was severe, with thousands injured and at least a dozen fatalities, including a child and the son of a Hezbollah leader. Lebanese authorities framed the events as the consequence of Israeli aggression, intensifying regional tensions and prompting calls for restraint from all sides while questions about responsibility and timing circulated among international observers.
Earlier comments from Moscow touched on whether devices could detonate, highlighting the fragility of the security situation and the risk that misinterpretation or miscalculation could lead to further clashes. Russian officials urged careful verification of facts and responsibility from all parties, warning against letting isolated incidents derail ongoing diplomatic efforts and the pursuit of de-escalation through dialogue and confidence-building measures.