Iran, UK Foreign Ministers Hold Phone Talks on Regional Developments

Tehran - BORNA - During the call, Araghchi stated that for the second time, Iran had been subjected to military aggression while engaged in diplomacy, stressing: “The United States and the Israeli regime, in violation of all international principles and rules, attacked our country. Our Leader, several senior officials, and many innocent people, including more than 170 primary school students, were unjustly martyred.”

The Iranian foreign minister also outlined Iran’s defensive measures in response to the U.S. and Israeli attacks, while criticizing what he described as the negative and biased approach of the UK and some European countries toward this clear violation of international law.

Emphasizing Iran’s inherent right to self-defense under Article 51 of the UN Charter, Araqchi said: “We respect the sovereignty of neighboring countries and have no intention of attacking them. However, U.S. bases are located in these countries, and attacks against us are launched from these bases. These countries have not fulfilled their international responsibility to prevent the use of their territory for attacks against Iran.”

He also strongly condemned the attack on the South Pars facilities, criticizing the lack of condemnation of what he described as a dangerous and adventurist act, and voiced serious criticism of the UK and some other countries for condemning Iran’s retaliatory actions.

Araghchi warned against any assistance or support to the aggressors in what he called an unlawful act against Iran, stating: “Such actions will only escalate tensions and further complicate the situation.”

Referring to the current conditions in the region and the Strait of Hormuz, which he said were the result of hostile and aggressive actions by the United States and Israel, Araqchi added: “The path to normalizing the situation is to stop these attacks. Any cessation of war must be accompanied by guarantees to prevent the recurrence of such aggression.”

He further criticized the UK for allowing the United States access to its military bases, saying: “These actions will certainly be regarded as participation in aggression and will be recorded in the history of relations between the two countries. At the same time, we reserve our inherent right to defend our sovereignty and independence.”

Araghchi also called on British officials to refrain from any cooperation with the United States and Israel in military and media domains, including facilitating the activities of what he described as terrorist networks.

For her part, the UK foreign secretary emphasized the need to stop the war and reduce tensions in the region, expressing concern over the political and economic consequences of the conflict at both regional and global levels, including the escalating situation in the Strait of Hormuz.

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