Geopolitics

Duran hosts claim Lavrov–Rubio meeting sought to stop alleged Russian help to Iran

The Duran · Manila Meeting: Lavrov, Rubio And Iran Strikes CIA Facilities · July 23, 2026

The Duran

Manila Meeting: Lavrov, Rubio And Iran Strikes CIA Facilities

"I think that the Americans came along. They're obviously furious about the fact that the Russians, as they believe, are providing help to the Iranians. They're absolutely furious that the Russians are targeting CIA uh PE personnel."

The Duran’s Alexander Mercouris argues the Lavrov–Rubio meeting in Manila was requested by the US and was focused on Washington’s concern that Russia is assisting Iran with strikes against CIA-linked targets in the Middle East. He says Russia would deny involvement while, in his view, continuing support, framing it as retaliation for US intelligence support to Ukraine’s strikes inside Russia.

About this episode

The Duran’s Alex Christoforou and Alexander Mercouris discuss a reported 35-minute meeting in Manila between Russian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov and US secretary of state Marco Rubio on the sidelines of an ASEAN summit. Mercouris characterises the short duration and lack of formal readout as signs the US-initiated meeting “failed”, and speculates that Washington sought Russian assurances over Iran following reporting that Iran struck CIA-linked facilities earlier this year and that US officials are examining whether Russia provided assistance.

The hosts argue the US is alarmed by Iran’s capability to hit American positions across the Middle East, and Mercouris frames the dynamic as tit-for-tat retaliation for US intelligence support enabling Ukrainian strikes inside Russia. They also reference earlier US media reporting about CIA sites and close operational ties with Ukrainian intelligence.

Mercouris claims Washington’s planning for conflict with Iran was unusually ad hoc, alleging decisions were made without the kind of detailed inter-agency preparation he says previously preceded major US wars. The episode then turns to mixed messaging from the Kremlin, including commentary on Dmitry Peskov’s public statements and differing diplomatic tracks involving US figures discussed by the hosts.

In the closing segment, Christoforou asks what escalation tools the US retains; Mercouris predicts additional sanctions targeting energy and finance, and forecasts an expansion of covert activity with Ukraine including assassinations and targeted drone strikes inside Russia, warning that retaliation would likely follow.

Key takeaways

Mercouris calls the brief Lavrov–Rubio meeting a US-initiated encounter that “failed” to produce concessions.
The hosts speculate the agenda centred on US concerns about alleged Russian assistance to Iran following reports of strikes on CIA-linked sites.
They frame Russia’s posture as reciprocal to US intelligence support for Ukrainian strikes into Russia.
They cite earlier US media reports about CIA sites and close operational links with Ukrainian intelligence services.
Mercouris alleges US decision-making on Iran lacked extensive preparatory planning and risk assessment.
Mercouris predicts further sanctions and an expanded covert campaign with Ukraine, including assassination attempts inside Russia.