MANAMA /Bahrain/, October 17. /TASS/. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has arrived in Manama to participate in the ninth strategic dialogue between Russia and the Gulf Cooperation Council, a TASS correspondent reported.

Bahrain will become the first stop on the top Russian diplomat’s Middle East tour.

Later, Lavrov is expected to travel to Tehran for consultations with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi.

Russian Foreign Ministry’s Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said Lavrov is expected to hold a number of bilateral meetings on the sidelines of the Russia-GCC dialogue.

The previous GCC meeting in this format at the level of foreign ministers was held in Russia’s Black Sea resort city of Sochi in September 2025.

The GCC comprises Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait, the UAE, Oman and Saudi Arabia.