Iran welcomes regional security initiatives excluding foreign interference: Araghchi
Tehran - BORNA - Araghchi made the remarks during a joint press conference with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov in Tehran on Monday.
"Today, we had very fruitful and important discussions. The relations between Iran and Russia are strategic, and the two countries enjoy a strategic partnership. Following the implementation of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Agreement, which was signed by the presidents of the two countries at the Kremlin, our relations have acquired new and more significant dimensions," he said.
Welcoming his Russian counterpart to Tehran, Araghchi noted that they held detailed discussions on key regional and international developments, as well as bilateral issues of mutual interest.
"In the realm of bilateral relations, we explored practical mechanisms to expand economic, trade, political, and cultural cooperation. Fortunately, the economic cooperation between the two countries is progressing with a very favorable trend, and there are no serious obstacles to expanding this cooperation," he added.
Highlighting the continuous political consultations, Araghchi pointed to the mutual visits of high-ranking officials and foreign ministers, as well as the meetings between the leaders of Iran and Russia, including the recent meeting between President Vladimir Putin and President Masoud Pezeshkian on the sidelines of the regional summit in Turkmenistan, which he said demonstrated the continuation of these contacts and interactions.
"These communications continue steadily. We maintain close consultations and cooperation with each other," he stated.
Regional and International Consultations
"Today, we discussed and exchanged views on issues related to the Persian Gulf, West Asia, the Caucasus, and Europe, as well as the negotiations between Iran and the US and the developments in Ukraine," Araghchi told reporters.
He emphasized: "The shared perspective of Iran, Russia, and many other countries is that regional issues have no military solution and must be pursued through diplomacy and political mechanisms."
The top diplomat also noted discussions on Palestine, Lebanon, and Yemen, asserting: "The genocide of Palestinians and the dangerous expansionism of the Zionist regime in the region must be stopped."
Addressing the insecurity in the Persian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz, he stated: "In our view, this insecurity is the direct result of the military aggression by the US and the Zionist regime against Iran, which began late February and continues in various forms. The war imposed by the US and the Zionist regime, along with economic blockades, are the main causes of insecurity in our region."
Concerns Over Caspian Sea Security
In another part of his remarks, Araghchi expressed serious concern over recent security developments in the Caspian Sea, including attacks on Iranian and Russian vessels and port infrastructure.
"We believe that these developments have serious consequences for peace and security in the region and cause irreparable damage to the Caspian environment," he warned.
He also mentioned that both countries share a common understanding regarding issues in Afghanistan, reducing tensions between Kabul and Islamabad, and countering terrorist threats.
Commitment to Multilateralism
Araghchi announced continued cooperation on international issues, stating: "We are largely united in our opposition to the belligerent unilateralism of the US and will cooperate within the framework of international institutions to strengthen multilateralism and defend the principles of international law."
He confirmed that cooperation within the BRICS, SCO, and EAEU frameworks would robustly continue.
"I am confident that our discussions today will contribute to strengthening the relations between the two countries and simultaneously to stability and security in the region. The cooperation between Iran and Russia will play an effective and important role in establishing stability in the region," he affirmed, noting that Lavrov would also meet with the Iranian president.
Europe Shares US's Miscalculations
Further in the press conference, the Iranian foreign minister criticized Europe for suffering from the same miscalculations as the United States.
"Europeans, like the Americans, suffer from miscalculation and, through their flawed policies, are the cause of most wars in the world, effectively prolonging them," Araghchi said.
"They are responsible for the killing of thousands of Palestinians through their unilateral support for the Zionist regime. They also miscalculated regarding Iran; they supported the US and Zionist regime's attack on Iran, mistakenly thinking Iran had weakened, and now, with this miscalculation, they have been bogged down in the quagmire of this war for nine months," he elaborated.
Referring to comments by the NATO Secretary-General regarding Europe's support for the US in this war, Araghchi noted: "The French also supported this war, and now that they are facing a social crisis, they link it to the consequences of a war in which they claim they played no part. The economic crises and many other crises in Europe are the result of the flawed policies these countries have pursued."
Addressing remarks by some US officials about a "civilizational war" with Iran, he said: "They failed in the war they started against Iran over the past nine months, and now they want to tie it to history and raise the issue of a civilizational war, which is a deception, including self-deception."
Araghchi stressed: "No civilizational war should be fueled or exist. There is no solution other than dialogue and diplomacy, and I advise European officials to abandon double standards and adopt the path of rationality."
Foreign Forces Disrupt Regional Security
Concluding his remarks, the foreign minister emphasized that the recent war demonstrated to regional countries that the presence of foreign forces and US bases on their soil does not contribute to their security but rather disrupts it.
"These bases not only failed to protect their host countries but also failed to defend themselves; they suffered heavy blows and were destroyed in the recent war," he asserted.
"We welcome any initiative that leads to endogenous security, collective security for countries, and collective security arrangements in the region without the presence and interference of foreign forces. We consider this a move in the right direction and are ready to consult with regional countries regarding a comprehensive security mechanism designed by and for the countries of the region," Araghchi concluded.
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