Seyyed Abbas Araghchi, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Republic of Iran, emphasized Iran's readiness to cooperate and consult with regional countries to ensure security during a joint press conference with Sergey Lavrov, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation. He considered the renewed hosting of the Russian delegation in Tehran as a sign of the strategic relations between the two countries and announced that these relations have gained new dimensions following the implementation of the comprehensive strategic partnership agreement in recent years.
Bilaterial Talks and Regional Developments
Araghchi stated that today's meeting included detailed discussions on the most important regional and international developments, referring to practical solutions for the development of bilateral relations and economic, commercial, political, and cultural cooperation. He noted that economic cooperation between Iran and Russia is progressing and there are no serious obstacles to this cooperation.
The Iranian Foreign Minister also emphasized that political consultations between Tehran and Moscow continue regularly, and reciprocal visits by high-ranking officials and foreign ministers of the two countries are conducted systematically. He referred to the last meeting between the President of Russia and Iranian officials on the sidelines of the Commonwealth of Independent States summit.
Common Positions on Regional Issues
Araghchi pointed to the close consultations between Iran and Russia on regional issues and considered discussions regarding developments related to the Persian Gulf, West Asia, the Caucasus, and the developments in Ukraine as important. He also emphasized that no regional issue has a military solution and should be addressed through diplomacy and political solutions.
Araghchi further expressed his concerns about recent security developments in the Caspian Sea, mentioning attacks on Iranian and Russian ships and port infrastructures in this sea. He regarded these developments as a serious threat to peace and security in the region and stressed the need to pay attention to their environmental consequences.
He also highlighted the agreement between the two countries regarding the situation in Afghanistan and the existing tensions between Kabul and Islamabad, as well as terrorist threats, emphasizing the importance of cooperation to strengthen multilateralism and defend the principles of international law.
Call for Diplomacy and Regional Cooperation
In response to a question about ensuring security in the Strait of Hormuz and the Persian Gulf, Araghchi stated that recent experiences have shown that the presence of foreign forces and American bases in the region has not only failed to contribute to security but has also disrupted it. He welcomed any initiative that leads to endogenous security and collective security arrangements in the region, stating that Iran is ready to consult with regional countries on this matter.
In conclusion, the Foreign Minister criticized the misguided policies of some Western countries regarding the region, emphasizing that the only solution to regional issues is diplomacy and dialogue, and urged Western countries to abandon double standards.
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